outlook
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg01.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 7:03 PM Page 1
The Voice of Ohio’s LGBT and Ally Community
THE HOLIDAY ISSUE
• Ohio’s Next Steps for Marriage Equality • Coming Out During the Holidays • The Two-Spirit Tradition • 2014: The Good, the Bad and the Bashings • Make the Yuletide Gay - and Lesbian • Get Tested! HIV Test Sites Around Ohio • News: Election Recap • Books: Robbie Rogers Scores • Music: Dave Koz is Coming to Town • Commentary: All I Really Wanted for Christmas • Advice: Dan Savage • Interview: Bette Midler Talks Wigs and Rights
december 2014
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg02-03.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 1:43 PM Page 1
2
december 2014
xxx
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg02-03.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 1:44 PM Page 2
outlookohio.com
xxx
december 2014
3
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg04.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 3:16 AM Page 1
vol 19 • #7
the holiday issue 4 6 8
10 12 14 16 20 22 25 26 29 31 32 34
36
38 38 40 41 42 42 42
Bi and Bi
snapshot
A good friend on mine who had flown the lesbian flag for years, we’ll call her Starla, recently divorced her wife and is now dating a man. The man was not the impetus for the divorce; it was just a bad relationship. My friend and her new beau were high school friends who reconnected after her split.
polisigh: non discrimination bill
I hadn’t seen her since she started dating him, and we finally got to reconnect at a wedding reception.
you are here qmunity
health: HIV testing locations
feature: two-spirit feature: holiday entertaining feature: coming out during the holidays feature: lgbt year in review complete the circuit the other side
creative class: Dave Koz deep inside hollywood interview: Bette Midler trippin’ out: Toronto
bookmark: Coming Out to Play by Robbie Rogers lgbt bar roundup out & about
savage love
the divine life blogoqueer
couple of guys puzzling
Next Month: The Drag Issue
4
you are here
december 2014
I believe my opening line was, “We’ve got things to catch up on, lady!’ “Oh, don’t I know!” she chirped back. Another friend of ours, a straight girl, has been voicing some major reservations about this new relationship. I’d heard though the grapevine that things were going so well for Starla and her man that she was going to pick up and move across the country to be with him. I was looking forward to the full story. After dinner and before the cake-cutting, Starla and I finally got a chance to snuggle up and talk. I think she was expecting me to razz her for “switching sides” because she said, “Well this is an interesting turn of events,” when I told her that I was all for her following her heart. I couldn’t care less who she loves. I’m just glad she found it again. For many people on the G or L side of our acronym, that kind of flip-flopping is unthinkable, if not downright traitorous. But as I told Starla, there is a B in our rainbow. Bisexual people really do exist, and they deserve our respect, not our disapproval. I think many in our community have visceral reactions to news like Starla’s. It stems partly from our insecurity and partly because many of us used “bi” as a gateway term on our way to gay. It reminds us we were liars once. But moreover, I think it has to do with our exhaustion from the journey.
PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Christopher Hayes Bob Vitale / Chad Frye HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Ste G, Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525 phone / 614.261.8200 fax
to qualify to the world. My mom never had to do that just because she liked dudes. As unfair as that might be, that analyzing process actually makes you more OK with yourself as a whole. I finally crossed the coming-out finish line when I realized that I never had to worry about cheating on a man with a woman. But I was pretty sure I’d end up cheating on a woman with a man. It was accepting that truth that guided my way. Part of that realization came from dating a guy in college who was also dating a girl; it was tumultuous at best. Two years and two girlfriends later, it finally ended when, on the verge of leaving his current girlfriend to travel cross-country with me, she ended up pregnant. When I finally came out, I thought I had the peace of mind that the same would hold true with my partners. I no longer had to waste my energy on lies, coverups or worrying about girls getting in the way. That was exhausting. We all must realize is that it’s not the gender that messes up our relationships, it’s the people involved. Starla isn’t packing everything and heading to the desert never to be seen again, she’s just taking a month to see how things go. And if that month goes well, then she’s going to figure out a way to live in both places, and then again, see how things go from there. Like responsible people in love do. Let’s try to remember that bi people don’t have it any easier than we do. They aren’t getting a pass if they date the opposite gender. They aren’t “kidding themselves.” Coming out with their truth is often met with not only ridicule but also doubt - from both straight and gay people.
SALES Chad Frye / cfrye@outlookmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bob Vitale / bvitale@outlookmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Erin McCalla / erin@outlookmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Noah Alexander, Chris Azzopardi, James Blackmon, Bryan Cole, Debe, Chris Hayes, Aaron Leventhal, Erin McCalla, Pete Olsen, Romeo San Vicente, Dan Savage, Bob Vitale, Mickey Weems ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes / art@outlookmedia.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Chris Hayes CYBERSPACE outlookohio.com outlookmedia.com networkcolumbus.com twitter / fb: outlookcolumbus
Outlook is published and distributed by Outlook Media Inc., on the first day of each month throughout Ohio. Outlook is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than 5 copies of any issue of Outlook with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. The views expressed in Outlook are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media Inc., or its staff, ownership or management. Outlook Media Inc., does not investigate or accept responsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media Inc., assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2014 by Outlook Media Inc., All rights reserved.
puzzling solution - puzzle on pg 42
If it works out between Starla and her guy, she will tell people in his life how she was married to a woman for five years prior to him. And you can’t tell me some won’t wonder when she’s going back.
Coming out is a lot of work. Really, it’s never-ending once you make the decision. Happy Holidays! So much introspection takes place. More so than our straight brethren, we have to over- Christopher Hayes analyze our sexuality and sexual orientation Publisher to make sure what we feel is real in order
We print letters to the editor, too. Send to bvitale@outlookmedia.com.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg06-07-08-09.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 1:42 AM Page 4
outlookohio.com
xxx
december 2014
9
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg06.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 2:59 AM Page 1
Scruff Party @ Axis
Glamazons @ Wall Street
Network Columbus 11/12/14 @ Level Dining Lounge
6
december 2014
Send your event photos to art@outlookmedia.com.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg07.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 7:02 PM Page 1
outlookohio.com
Oh look, it’s Rick, Steve and Mothra!
december 2014
7
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg08-09-10.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:03 AM Page 1
qmunity
OSU Student to Attacker: ‘I’m NOT Sorry I’m Gay’
Cincinnati, Columbus Top HRC Equality Rankings
Cincinnati and Columbus were among 36 US cities that earned 100-point scores in the 2014 Municipal Equality Index released in November.
efits for city workers. • Doesn’t require city contractors to offer equal benefits to all workers. • No anti-bullying policies.
It doesn’t mean they’re perfect, but both Cleveland 79 cities racked up bonus points to push • No transgender-inclusive health benthem into the top tier of American cities. efits for city workers. • Doesn’t require city contractors to Here’s how Ohio cities fared, followed by offer equal benefits to all workers. the areas in which they were found • No anti-bullying policies. lacking by HRC researchers. • No police department LGBT liaison. • No LGBT liaison to the mayor. Columbus 100 • Doesn’t require city contractors to Akron 68 offer equal benefits to all workers. • Nondiscrimination ordinance • No police department LGBT liaison. doesn’t cover employment or public accommodations. • No domestic partner registry. Cincinnati 100 • Doesn’t require city contractors to • Unequal benefits for city workers in offer equal benefits to all workers. same-sex relationships. • Doesn’t offer employees in same-sex • Doesn’t require city contractors to relationships equal family leave. offer equal benefits to all workers. • Anti-bullying policy doesn’t cover gen- • No human rights commission. der identity. Toledo 58 • Nondiscrimination hiring policy Dayton 95 • No transgender-inclusive health ben- doesn’t cover gender identity.
• No transgender-inclusive health benefits for city workers. • Doesn’t require city contractors to adopt nondiscrimination policies. • Doesn’t require city contractors to offer equal benefits to all workers. • No police department LGBT liaison. • No LGBT liaison to the mayor. • Didn’t report 2012 hate crime statistics to the FBI.
BRAVO, the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization, called the attack hate-motivated, and three Toledo City Council members called on the US Justice Department to investigate. According to BRAVO, six men shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs brutally attacked Candice Rose Milligan, 33, near Madison Avenue and 12th Street in Downtown Toledo. Christopher Temple, 20, was charged 8
december 2014
with robbery and other crimes. Ohio has no hate-crimes law. “She was walking home. She heard homophobic and transphobic slurs being shouted, and the next thing she remembers is being on the ground having her head beaten into the cement,” Equality Toledo Director David Crafts told WTOLTV in Toledo. “This has really made us look over our shoulder a bit more and realize we have a ways to go, especially working with our trans folks and knowing that
Cole Ledford’s reaction to the attack, however, is what gained attention worldwide. Along with a photo of his swollen and bruised face, the third-year OSU student from Lebanon in southwestern Ohio tweeted a message “to the guy who punched me tonight for kissing my boyfriend.” “I’m sorry that you called me fag. I’m sorry you hit me for no reason. I’m sorry whatever insecurities you have don’t allow you to accept others for who they are. I’m sorry I threaten you.
Transgender Toledo Woman Attacked in Broad Daylight A transgender woman suffered a broken jaw and had to endure two surgeries after being attacked by a group of men during broad daylight on a Toledo street Nov 3.
An Ohio State University student was punched Nov 6 after he and his boyfriend walked hand in hand near the campus in Columbus.
they are not as accepted as they should be in our community,” Crafts told the TV station. Four trans women have been killed in Ohio since 2013: CeCe Dove, 20, of Cleveland, whose killer was sentenced to life in prison; Brittany-Nicole KiddStergis, 22, of Cleveland, whose killer was sentenced to 18 years to life; Betty Skinner, 52, of Cleveland, whose killer remains at large; and Tiffany Edwards, 28, of Cincinnati, whose accused killer awaits trial. In Toledo, performers at Legends Showclub performed an Ignorance Is Not Bliss benefit show on Nov 14 to help Milligan with her medical expenses. All tips were donated, and Legends matched the amount.
“I’m NOT sorry I’m gay. I’m proud to be this way. I’m proud to be confident enough to love who I love and to love me. I’m proud to have friends and family that love me regardless of me. Honestly, I’m not sorry.” Ledford’s tweet was favorited and retweeted tens of thousands of times. Ledford told OSU’s student newspaper, The Lantern, that his attacker was a man in his 20s. A group of men called him and his boyfriend “fags” as they walked along High Street holding hands. After he and his boyfriend kissed goodbye and parted, a man punched him and kept walking as Ledford fell to the ground. He told WCMH-TV in Columbus that he didn’t call police but did file a report with OSU’s Bias Assessment and Response Team.
BRAVO’s statewide, toll-free number: 1.866.86.BRAVO.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg08-09-10.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:03 AM Page 2
The Month in Marriage
Florida: The state is threatening to revoke the driver’s licenses of Daniel and Scott Wall-Desousa, who used their New York marriage certificate to change their names. The couple said they plan to sue. Idaho: Encouraged by the federal appeals court ruling against marriage equality in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee, state officials said they plan to ask the US Supreme Court to review rulings for equality in Idaho. Kansas: Can they or can’t they? Opponents of marriage equality aren’t giving up, even though the US Supreme Court refused to stop weddings during a state appeal. Still, only four of 105 counties were issuing licenses as of Nov 13. Mississippi: A federal judge heard arguments for and against the state’s same-sex marriage ban on Nov 12. There have been no rulings yet in Mississippi, and the federal appeals court that covers the state hasn’t taken up the issue yet, either. Missouri: Couples in St. Louis and Kansas City have been getting marriage licenses, but officials in the state’s other 110 counties were waiting for more clarification after two judges ruled in November against the state’s marriage ban. Montana: Couples began marrying on Nov 20, the day after a federal judge struck down the state’s marriage ban. State officials are appealing. Nevada: Gov. Brian Sandoval, a Republican,
Wall Street Is Sold to New Gay Owners
said the debate over marriage equality has been settled in his state, and he urged a federal appeals court on Nov 12 to reject the request of marriage-equality opponents to hear the issue again. New York: A wedding venue north of Albany will host only receptions - not marriage ceremonies from now on, its owners said in November after they were fined $13,000 by the state for refusing to host the ceremony for a lesbian couple. North Carolina: Republican legislative leaders ordered their lawyers to continue the fight against marriage equality, despite two federal court rulings and a pro-equality decision by the appeals court that covers their state. Oklahoma: The state Supreme Court said a woman who helped raise her partner’s two children is entitled to a hearing in her request for parental rights. A county judge dismissed her claim. South Carolina: Attorney General Alan Wilson just won’t give up. A federal judge and a federal appeals court struck down the state’s marriage ban and the US Supreme Court refused to stop weddings, but he says he’ll still fight marriage equality. West Virginia: It was only a formality, but US District Judge Robert Chambers struck down the state’s marriage ban on Nov 7. Couples began marrying in October after the US Supreme Court let stand a lower court ruling striking down bans in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Ohio Ruling Appealed to Supreme Court The gay parents and gay widowers who are suing for Ohio to recognize their out-of-state marriages will appeal their rejection from two federal appeals judges to the US Supreme Court. “It’s official - I have appealed to the US Supreme Court to overturn the offensive 6th District Court of Appeals ruling,” plaintiff Jim Obergefell of Cincinnati said via Facebook on Nov 14.
US population. Sutton and Cook, though, kept marriage bans in place in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. “We look forward to presenting our arguments on behalf of our plaintiff families and all Ohio same-sex couples in front of the highest court in the land,” said Al Gerhardstein, the Cincinnati lawyer who has represented Obergefell and others seeking recognition of their marriages on state-issued birth and death certificates.
Obergefell likened the Supreme Court appeal to “calling BS” on Judges Jeffrey Sutton and Deborah Cook, who on Nov 6 became the only appeals judges in the nation to uphold the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Obergefell and his late husband, John Arthur, filed the first federal court challenge after the US Supreme Court’s 2013 decision to strike down portions of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
Rulings elsewhere have expanded marriage equality to 35 states and 62 percent of the
Eight parents who had married their samesex partners won a second Ohio suit seeking
outlookohio.com
When he announced in February that he was looking to sell Wall Street Nightclub, owner Scot Hafler said he wanted to keep the oldest operating gay bar in Columbus within the LGBT community.
“We bought Wall Street from an amazing person that I am so glad to know,” Rollins said via Facebook. “Lots of work moving forward. As of today, Amber Myers and I are the proud new owners, and it will stay in the community.”
It will.
Rollins and Myers have sold Bossy Grrl’s, which features local bands and burlesque.
Sandy Rollins and Amber Myers, who opened Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint last year, bought the Downtown club in November.
Wall Street opened in 1987 and features everything from lesbian dance parties to boys nights, country to hip-hop, drag and theater.
Give Them a Toaster Apple CEO Tim Cook wasn’t exactly in the closet - he has been on Out magazine’s Power 50 for three years but his public coming out in an Oct 29 essay in Bloomberg Businessweek still made news. “While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me,” Cook wrote. A few days earlier, Cook was honored by his home state of Alabama, and he used the occasion to criticize its record on civil rights for African-Americans and LGBT people. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics is no George Takei on Twitter, but his reaction on Nov 6 to his country’s legal recognition for same-sex relationships got a few thousand to be listed as married on the birth certificates of their children. Ohio used list both parents on birth certificates, but under Gov. John Kasich, the state began making samesex couples choose one or the other.
likes and retweets. In announcing his support for the legislation, Rinkevics used a hashtag, “proudtobegay.” He later tweeted: “I proudly announce I am gay... Good luck all of you...” The head of Latvia’s LGBT rights group told The Associated Press that Rinkevics is the highest-ranking politician to come out in the nations that used to be part of the Soviet Union. Olympic rower Robbie Manson, who competed for his native New Zealand at the 2012 Games in London, came out publicly in a Nov 4 essay for Outsports.com. “I have learned so much about myself and what it means to be gay over the past couple of years, and also what it means to be gay in a competitive sporting environment. And it’s all been hugely positive,” he wrote. Manson is a two-time national champion in New Zealand, won three international competitions in 2013, and finished in seventh place at the 2012 Olympics. cases are about love, from birth to death. The relationships at the heart of each case involve the love spouses share, with each other and with the children they jointly raise, and the love that survives the death of a spouse.”
In the appeal, Gerhardstein wrote: “These
Best of luck, Sandy and Amber!
december 2014
9
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg08-09-10.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:03 AM Page 3
polisigh
Mixed Results for LGBT Candidates
Faith, Business Leaders Join Anti-Discrimination Push by Bob Vitale With record Republican majorities convening in the Ohio General Assembly for 2015, the pitch for expanded anti-discrimination legislation in the state sounds increasingly tailored to GOP ears. Eighty of Ohio’s 98 biggest employers already have policies of their own that pledge equal treatment for their LGBT workers, Equality Ohio Executive Director Elyzabeth Holford tells audiences. And nearly 80 percent of small-business owners say Ohio’s nondiscrimination laws should include protections against bias based on people’s gender identity or sexual orientation, she adds. The numbers refute claims that new protections would hurt businesses or add more unwelcomed government regulation. And to counter arguments that legislation recognizing the rights of LGBT Ohioans to hold a job somehow curtails others’ religious liberties, about a dozen religious leaders from around the state gathered in November at the Statehouse to call on legislators to expand current anti-discrimination laws. “We are united in our belief that all people are equally created in the image of God,” said the Rev. Andries Coetzee, pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wooster. “The reality is many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ohioans live and work in fear every day that their sexual orientation or gender identity will cost them their house or their job.” Coetzee, whose national church has called on its members to work for anti-discrimination laws, said LGBT people are “children of God
who have suffered right here in Ohio for simply existing.”
Ohio’s two openly gay state legislators won re-election easily in November, but LGBT candidates across the country had a much tougher time.
Takano of California, Jared Polis of Colorado, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.
Rabbi Sharon Mars of the Temple Israel in Columbus called on lawmakers to make it easier for people in the state to live “whole, authentic, dignified and proud.”
In an election when Republicans won more seats in Congress, governor’s offices and state legislatures nationwide, even a few gay Republicans went down to defeat.
Ohio is one of 29 states that have left sexual orientation and gender identity out of their employment and housing non-discrimination laws. Bills introduced in the General Assembly this year went nowhere, assigned to House and Senate committees but ignored by Republican leaders who didn’t even give them a hearing.
The Victory Fund, which helps LGBT candidates win political office at all levels of government, said 60 percent of its endorsed candidates won.
• Four gay challengers lost bids for Congress, though: Democrats Clay Aiken (yes, that Clay Aiken) in North Carolina and Sean Eldridge (a suburban Toledo native) in New York, and Republicans Richard Tisei in Massachusetts and Carl DeMaio in California.
It seems unlikely they’ll fare better in the next legislative session. Incoming House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, a Republican from Clinton County in Southwest Ohio, was a co-sponsor last year of a bill that would have sanctioned discrimination by those with anti-LGBT religious beliefs. Holford said Equality Ohio hasn’t ruled out any options for getting an inclusive nondiscrimination law passed in Ohio, including seeking a statewide vote on the measure. The group already is part of a coalition called Why Marriage Matters Ohio, which is laying the groundwork for a statewide ballot measure on marriage equality. A 2013 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute found that most Ohio voters think state law already forbids employment and housing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. When told that it doesn’t, 68 percent said that it should. “Ohio voters are with us, so it makes sense that Ohio legislators would reflect our values,” she said.
But gay Democrat Mike Michaud lost his race for governor of Maine, gay Democrat Steven Kerrigan was the losing lieutenant governor candidate in Massachusetts, and independent candidate David Catania lost his bid to become the first openly gay mayor of Washington, DC. Here’s are results for LGBT candidates from Ohio and around the nation: • State Rep. Nickie Antonio, a Democrat from the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, captured 72 percent vote to win her third term in the Ohio House of Representatives. • State Rep. Tim Brown, a Republican from Bowling Green, won a second term with 63 percent of the vote. • Democrat Sandra Kurt of Akron won reelection to the Summit County Council. • The six gay and bi members of the US Congress won re-election: Reps. Mark
A panel of doctors and blood-donor advocates that advises the US Department of Health and Human Services recommended Nov 13 that the federal government end its blanket ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men.
The Human Rights Campaign called the plan “nominally better” than the existing ban, which was first imposed in 1983. Men
december 2014
• Justice Mary Yu was retained by voters on the Washington Supreme Court. • Democrat JD Ford, a native of Youngstown and graduate of the University of Akron, lost a bid to become Indiana’s first openly gay legislator. He lost a suburban Indianapolis state Senate race. • Mary Gonzalez, the nation’s first pansexual-identified elected official, won another term in the Texas House of Representatives. • Ohio native Lori Droste (her mom was the mayor of Circleville, south of Columbus) won a seat on the City Council in Berkeley, Calif. • Marque Snow, another Ohio native who spent part of his childhood in Marion, was re-elected to the school board in Omaha, Neb.
Federal Panel Recommends Changing Blood Ban
The US Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety Availability recommended instead that men who’ve had sex with men be allowed to donate blood if they’ve been abstinent for one year.
10
• Democrat Maura Healey was elected attorney general in Massachusetts, the first openly gay person elected to that office in any state.
Ditto in that cartoon for Mike DeWine.
who’ve had sex with another man anytime since 1977 are currently banned from donating blood ever, even though blood is now routinely tested and HIV is transmitted through heterosexual sex as well. HRC said the proposed policy still would stigmatize gay and bisexual men. The American Medical Association, American Red Cross and American Association of Blood Banks all have called for the ban to end. The federal Blood Products Advisory Committee will meet in December and make a recommendation to HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg11.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 2:30 AM Page 1
outlookohio.com
xxx
december 2014
11
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg12-13.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 10:41 PM Page 1
Get Tested! health
It’s easier to find information about Ebola than information about HIV/AIDS on the websites of Ohio’s local health departments.
lay, 45840; 419.424.7441: Testing by appointment; fees possible.
Free HIV Testing Available Across Ohio
Seneca County Tiffin: Seneca County Health Department, 71 S Washington St, Suite 2, Tiffin, 44883; 419.447.3691: Testing available by appointment on Mondays from 9a-3:30p; fees vary.
Henry County Napoleon: Henry County Health DeThat’s sad, really. There have been partment Family Planning, 1843 four cases of Ebola in the United Oakwood Ave, Napoleon, 43545; States. More than 1.1 million people 419.599.5545: Testing by appoint- Wyandot County are living with HIV. ment; fees possible, although no one Upper Sandusky: Wyandot County Health Department, 127-A S Sanis denied services. World AIDS Day is Dec 1. Here are dusky Ave, Upper Sandusky, 43351; testing sites - many of them free - in Huron County 419.294.3852, x211: Testing by apall parts of Ohio. You can find more Norwalk: Huron County Health De- pointment; fees based on income. sites online at preventhivstdohio.net partment, 180 Milan Avenue, Suite or by downloading AIDS Resource 8, Norwalk, 44857; 419.668.1652, Northeast Center Ohio’s HIV Risk Meter app for x241: Free testing by appointment. Ashland County your phone. Ashland: Ashland County Health Lucas County Services, 1060 Claremont Ave, AshThe Ohio HIV/STD Prevention Hotline Toledo: Toledo-Lucas County Health land, 44805; 419.289.1700: Free can be reached at 1.800.332.2437. Department, 635 N Erie St, Toledo, testing by appointment. 43604: Free, walk-in testing is available Monday through Friday, 1p-4p. Ashtabula County Northwest Allen County Lima: AIDS Resource Center Ohio, 658 W Market St, Suite 200, Lima, 45801; 419.222.0827: Free testing by appointment.
Crawford County Bucyrus: Crawford County General Health District, 1520 Isaac Beal Rd, Bucyrus, 44820; 419.562.5871, x1209: Free testing on the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 4p-6p; call for an appointment. Defiance County Defiance: Defiance County Health Department, 1300 E 2nd St, Suite 100, Defiance, 43512; 419.784.3818: Free, walk-in testing is available every Wednesday from 10:45a-noon. Hancock County Findlay: Findlay City Health Department, 1644 Tiffin Ave, Suite A, Find12
december 2014
Toledo: AIDS Resource Center Ohio, 3450 W Central Ave, Suite 210, Toledo, 43606; 419.241.9444: Free testing by appointment Monday-Friday. Free walk-in testing is available on the second Thursday of every month from 5:30p-7:30p.
Ashtabula: Ashtabula City Health Department, 4717 Main Ave, Ashtabula, 44004; 440.350.2056: Free, walk-in testing on the first Wednesday of every month from 10a-noon.
Lake County Painesville: Lake County Free Clinic, 54 S State St, Suite 302, Painesville, 44077; 440.350.5730: Free, walk-in testing available on the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 1:30p-4:30p. Lorain County Lorain: Lorain County Health and Dentistry, 1800 Livingston Ave, Lorain, 44052; 440.233.0133: Testing by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1p-4p; ask about fees. Mahoning County Youngstown: Youngstown City Health District, 345 Oak Hill Avenue, Entrance B, 2nd floor, Youngstown, 44502; 330.743.3333, x251: Walk-in STD clinic every Tuesday and Friday from noon-2p.
Medina County Medina: Medina County Health Department, 4800 Ledgewood Dr, Medina, 44256: 330.723.9688: Free testing available by appointment. Walk-ins are accommodated as the Cuyahoga County Cleveland: AIDS Taskforce of Greater schedule permits. Ottawa County Cleveland, 2829 Euclid Ave, CleveRichland County Port Clinton: Ottawa County Health land, 44115; 216.621.0766: Free Mansfield: Richland Public Health, Department, 1856 E Perry St, Port testing every Wednesday from 9a555 Lexington Ave, Mansfield, Clinton, 43452; 419.734.6800: Test- 4p; call for an appointment. 44907; 419.774.4500: Free testing ing by appointment; fees based on income. Cleveland: LGBT Community Center by appointment. Sandusky County Fremont: Sandusky County Health Department, 2000 Countryside Dr, Fremont, 43420; 419.334.6355: Testing available by appointment Tuesday-Friday; fees based on income.
of Greater Cleveland, 6600 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 44102; 216.651.5428: Free, walk-in testing on the first and third Monday and Wednesday of every month from 5p7:30p, on the second and fourth Monday from 4p-6:30p, and on the second and fourth Wednesday from 4p-7:30p.
Stark County Canton: Canton Health Department, 420 Market Ave N, Canton, 44702; 330.489.3231: Free, walk-in testing available Tuesdays and Fridays from 8a-10:30a, on Wednesdays from 1:30p-3p, and on the second Thursday of every month from 4p-6:45p.
Testing is often free and anonymous.
Canton: Crew, 304 Cherry Ave NE, Canton, 44702; 330.452.2739: Free testing at the gay bar on the third Thursday of every month from 10pmidnight. Summit County Akron: AIDS Resource Center Ohio, 1815 W Market St, Suite 204, Akron, 44313; 330.794.5289: Free, walk-in testing every Monday from 9a-1p. Akron: Adams Street, 77 N Adams St, Akron, 44305; 330.434.9794: Free testing at the gay bar every Thursday from 5:30p-7p. Warren County Warren: City of Warren Public Health Clinic, 418 Main Ave SW, Warren, 44481; 330.841.2596: Free testing available Monday-Friday. Wayne County Wooster: Wayne County Combined Health District, 203 S Walnut St, Wooster, 44691; 330.264.9590: Testing available by appointment on Thursdays from 1p-3p; a $30 donation is requested, but no one will be refused.
Central
Coshocton County Coshocton: Coshocton County Health Services, 120 N 4th St, Coshocton, 43812; 740.622.2829: Free testing by appointment. Delaware County Delaware: Delaware County Health Department, 3 W Winter St, Delaware, 43015; 740.368.1700: Free walk-in testing with same-day results is available Thursdays from 7:30a-9a, on the third Tuesday of each month from 2p-4p, and on the outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg12-13.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 10:42 PM Page 2
last Tuesday of each month from 2p- although no one is denied services. 6p. Licking County Fairfield County Newark: Licking County Health DeLancaster: Family Health Services, partment: 675 Price Rd, Newark, 922 E Main St, Lancaster, 43130; 43055, 740.349.6535: Testing by 740.654.6338: Free testing by apappointment from 3p-6:15p most pointment. Tuesdays. Fees based on income. Franklin County Columbus: Stonewall Columbus, 1160 N High St, Columbus, 43201; 614.299.7764: Free, walk-in testing every Monday from 1p-6p.
Madison County London: Madison County-London City Health District, 306 Lafayette St, Suite B, London, 43140; 740.852.3065: Free or reduced cost testing is available by appointment.
Clark County Springfield: Clark County Combined Health District, 529 E Home Rd, Springfield, 45503; 937.390.5600: Free, walk-in testing is every Monday and Thursday from 5p-7p. Testing also is done at the Clark State Community College Health Clinic on the first and second Mondays of every month from noon-3p and at the Wittenberg University Wellness Center on the first and second Tuesdays from noon-2p.
Free testing by appointment.
services if they’re unable to pay.
Butler County Hamilton: Butler County Health Department, 301 S 3rd St, Hamilton, 45011; 513.863.1770: Free walk-in testing, with same-day results, is on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month from 1p-3p.
Guernsey County Cambridge: Cambridge-Guernsey County Health Department, 326 Highland Ave, Cambridge, 43725: Testing by appointment; ask about fees.
Clermont County Batavia: Clermont County Public Health, 2400 Clermont Center Dr, Suite 200, Batavia, 45103; 513.735.8400: Free testing by apDarke County Greenville: Wayne Hospital Outpa- pointment on the first Tuesday of Columbus: AIDS Resource Center tient Lab (Main Lobby), 835 Sweitzer every month. Marion County Ohio, 4400 N High St, Columbus, 43214; 614.299.2437: Free, walk-in Marion: Marion Public Health, 181 S St, Greenville, 45331; 937.548.1141: Hamilton County Walk-in testing from 8a-5p daily, Main St, Marion, 43302; testing every Tuesday from 9a-8p Cincinnati: Planned Parenthood but there’s a $42 charge. 740.692.9124: Free testing by and every Wednesday from 9a-5p. Southwest Ohio Region, 4138 appointment. Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, 45223; Logan County Columbus: Greater Columbus Bellefontaine: 310 S Main St, Belle- 513.679.4453: Free, walk-in testing Mpowerment Center, 1780 E Broad West every Wednesday from 5p-8p. fontaine, 43311; 592-9040: Free St, Columbus, 43203; Allen County walk-in testing, with same-day re614.926.4132: Free, walk-in testing Lima: AIDS Resource Center Ohio, sults, is available on the third Mon- Springdale: Planned Parenthood every Thursday from 9a-5p. 658 W Market St, Suite 200, Lima, Center, 290 Northland Blvd, Spring45801; 419.222.0827: Free testing day of each month from 1p-3p. dale, 45246; 513.679.4453: Free, Columbus: ARC Ohio Medical Cen- by appointment. walk-in testing on the third WednesMontgomery County ter, 1033 N High St, Columbus, day of every month from noon-3p. Dayton: Public Health-Dayton & 43201: Free, walk-in testing every Auglaize County Montgomery County, Dr. Charles R Friday from 9a-5p. Wapakoneta: Auglaize County Drew Health Center, 1323 W 3rd St, Southeast Health Department, 214 S Wagner Dayton, 45402; 937.225.4023: Free Athens County Columbus: Columbus Public Health Ave, Wapakoneta, 45895; Take Care Down There Clinic, 240 Athens: Planned Parenthood Health 419.738.3410: Free walk-in testing, testing by appointment. Parsons Ave, Columbus, 43215; Center, 1005 E State St, Athens, with results the same day, is offered 614.645.7772: Free, walk-in testing usually on the fourth Monday of the Southwest 45701; 740.593.6979: Testing by every Monday and Thursday from Adams County appointment. OU students can get month from 2p-4p. 5p-8p. West Union: Adams County Board of tested through the Student Health Health, 923 Sunrise Ave, West Union, Center. Champaign County Knox County Urbana: Champaign Health District, 45693; 937.544.5547: Free testing Mount Vernon: Knox County Health 1512 S US 68, Suite Q100, Urbana, one Thursday per month; call to Belmont County Department, 11660 Upper Gilchrist 43078; 937.484.1605: Free testing make an appointment. St. Clairsville: Belmont County Rd, Mount Vernon, 43050: Walk-in Health Department, 68501 Bannock on the first Wednesday of the month testing available at the Community at the health district office and on Brown County Rd, St. Clairsville, 43950; Health Clinic, open Monday-Friday, the second Wednesday of the month Georgetown: Brown County Board of 740.695.1202, x13: Testing by ap8a-noon and 1p-4:30p. It’s open Health, 826 Mount Orab Pike, pointment. There’s a sliding scale of at the Urbana University Student until 7p on the third Tuesday of every Center. Georgetown, 45121; 937.378.6892: costs, but no one will be refused month. Fees are based on income, outlookohio.com
Email bvitale@outlookmedia.com to add locations to our list.
Hocking County Logan: Hocking County Health Department, 350 State Rt 664N, Logan, 43138; 740.385.3030: Free testing, with results in about 20 minutes, is available by appointment. Jefferson County Steubenville: Jefferson County General Health District, 500 Market St, 7th Floor, Steubenville, 43952; 740.283.8530: Walk-in testing available, although appointments are preferred; a fee is charged, but no one will be denied. Lawrence County Ironton: Lawrence County Health Department, 2122 S 8th St, Ironton, 45638; 740.532.3962: Testing available by appointment on Wednesdays from 9a-11:30a and 1p-4p (until 6p on the second and fourth Wednesdays), as well as Fridays from 7:30a-10a. Fees vary. Muskingum County Zanesville: Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, 205 N 7th St, Zanesville, 43701; 740.454.9741, x247: Free testing by appointment. Washington County Marietta: Marietta City Health Department, 304 Putnam St, Marietta, 45750; 740.373.0611, x2312: Free testing by appointment. december 2014
13
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg14.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 5:25 AM Page 1
feature
George Catlin (1796-1872), Dance to the Berdache. Drawn while on the Great Plains among the Sac and Fox people, the sketch depicts a ceremonial dance to celebrate the Two-Spirit person.
Two-Spirit
Cecelia LaPointe Rekindles Awareness of Native Gender Identity
by Noah Alexander
The Two-Spirit label is the modern term used by indigenous communities to denote genderWhen I ask over the phone about her thoughts variant people of native descent, like LaPointe on mainstream LGBT culture, the inflection in herself. Their existence breaks the Eurocentric Cecelia LaPointe’s voice changes on the spot, gender binary; Two-Spirits were their own third and she responds: “As a kid, my favorite or even fourth gender among native societies. movie was Hairspray. I watched drag queens. I fell in love with Divine,” she says excitedly. Two-Spirited people, designated at birth “And I’m wearing rainbow earrings right now.” through ritual, were believed to embody both masculine and feminine spirits - two identiIt sounds familiar enough, a teenager who ties inhabiting a single came of age in the last decades of the 20th body. century, who came to terms with her own queerness as a middle-class kid watching TV Two things set Twoin Midwestern suburbia. Spirits apart from the rest in native culture. But what separates LaPointe from other The way they dressed queer-identified Americans - and, indeed, could change from day from other Americans generally - is that she’s to day. And perhaps a native of northern Michigan, in the literal more importantly, a sense. Two-Spirit person wasn’t held to gender roles LaPointe, a poet and writer, is a descendant of when it came to labor. the Anishinabaakwe people who once popuA person could go on a hunt or go to war but lated the Great Lakes region. She also identi- at other times might have dressed in women’s fies, in her words, as “androgynous, garb and cooked or tended to other domestic genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and responsibilities. Two-Spirit.” LaPointe said Two-Spirit visibility should be She spoke and hosted a poetry workshop at part of today’s LGBT consciousness because Ohio State University during November that fo- Two-Spirits were not merely tolerated in Nacused on racial identity and the Two-Spirit ex- tive-American tribal life. istence. She visited Columbus during both Native American Heritage Month and Trans“Two-Spirits were revered,” she says. “They gender Awareness Week. were considered sacred beings in the community.”
14
december 2014
Well-respected and considered powerful by their fellow tribespeople, Two-Spirits were often given special status as healers, mediators and counselors, LaPointe says. “There were ‘warrior women.’ There were even chiefs that were women and Two-Spirit.”
room halfway between her “rez” and home. “It’s very small,” LaPointe says of the reservation, a part of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, where members of her family hold leadership positions. “And it’s far from the city, so there’s less influence from the dominant culture there.”
That’s why queer historians often invoke precontact native societies to counter the arguments of transphobic people who point to So as LaPointe sees it, the isolation and re“tradition” as justification moval that characterizes the reservation for their bigotry. space is actually what allowed the Two-Spirit legacy to be reborn from the ashes of literal So why do we rarely hear extinction. “[My rez] is very politically active. about Two-Spirits? Why There’s a lot of Two-Spirited support.” aren’t they a bigger part of LGBT discourse? But LaPointe acknowledges that Two-Spirits are not always so readily accepted within naThe answer, of course, is tive communities, where some have internalhistorical: When the first ized Europeans’ heteronormative views on Spanish missionaries gender identity over the centuries. Thus, Twolanded in California, La- Spirits are stigmatized doubly; they often face Pointe says, it was the discrimination “both from the outside and Two-Spirit, reduced in their eyes to a crosswithin the community.” dressing sodomite - a sinner - who was essentially the first victim in the campaign of The colonization of the native mind is a real colonial violence against the native population concern for LaPointe, who says: “When they of the Americas. said, ‘Get rid of the Indians,’ it happened within ourselves.” Being of mixed descent, LaPointe says she feels a part of “both cultures, both worlds.” By reaching out through her writing and She grew up in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak speaking, LaPointe hopes to reverse that hisand currently resides in the northern Michigan tory and encourage visibility - both of the town of Manistee. But she travels to her reser- queer and of the native. vation in the Upper Peninsula regularly; during our phone interview, in fact, she sat in a hotel
You can read Cecelia LaPointe’s poetry at anishinaabekwe.com.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg15.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:02 AM Page 1
outlookohio.com
I’ll take those glasses.
december 2014
15
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg16-19.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 1:35 AM Page 1
Make the Yuletide Gay
Sips, Savories and Sounds for Your Holiday Get-Togethers
Music by Gregg Shapiro
Michael Feinstein A Michael Feinstein Christmas
Some of Koz’s friends, musicians and singers, join him on his latest holiday recording, The 25th of December. In fact, a cover of the Beatles standard “All You Need Is Love,” features Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Richard Marx, Heather Headley and Mr. Christmas himself, Johnny Mathis.
For his first holiday album, Great American Songbook specialist Michael Feinstein doesn’t stray too far from his roots.
Accompanied by acclaimed jazz pianist Alan Broadbent, his renditions of Christmas classics are sources of endless joy. The arrangements allow Feinstein and Broadbent to shine like the lights on a Christmas tree.
Mathis also can be heard on “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” India.Arie is joined by Trombone Shorty on “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” And it’s a battle of the nice Jewish boys on “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow,” with Koz going toe-totoe (or is that horn to horn?) with Kenny G.
Sure, we know these songs - including “The Christmas Song,” “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” - by heart. But Feinstein touches our hearts with these simple and pleasing renditions.
Idina Menzel Holiday Wishes
Gays love their divas, and this year the hottest diva around, Idina Menzel, releases her first Christmas album, Holiday Wishes.
Leave it to a nice, Jewish, gay boy to refresh these classics in the way that Feinstein has.
She makes sure we hear her on “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and out-Mariahs Mariah Carey on her blazing rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Dave Koz The 25th of December
Gay smooth jazz sax man Dave Koz’s annual holiday music tour, billed as Dave Koz & Friends, is hitting the road and coming to Cleveland and Columbus this holiday season. (See story on Page 29.)
Menzel raises the standard on the holiday standard, “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?,” adds her own touch with the original “December Prayer” (co-written with Walter Afanasief and Charlie Midnight), tips her fur-lined hat to her Disney clan with a cover of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and adds her name to the list of artists who have interpreted Joni Mitchell’s modern Christmas classic, “River.”
Holiday Decorating Tips
I don’t think decorations have to go all over the house. If you have a family tradition of decorating for the holidays and it does, that’s great. For me, I think a little goes a really long way. One of the things that I think is really cool is to take all those glass vases that we all have under our kitchen sinks from the florist - they’re just around our homes - and if you don’t have them, they’re really cheap to find at thrift stores and stuff. I love the idea of taking a big group of them - eight, 10, 12 of them - and putting them on the table on the entry and filling them with ornaments in two colors, like gold and silver or white and gold or white and bronze or whatever it is in different sizes, and then just adding greenery. It works on an entry table; it works on a dining room sideboard; it works on the mantle. It’s just different clear glass vases in different shapes and sizes and then ornaments floating inside them. - Nate Berkus, via ivillage.com 16
december 2014
Of course stores are now carrying Valentine’s Day decorations.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg16-19.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 1:35 AM Page 2
Ted Allen’s Deconstructed Holiday Turkey With Sage Gravy For the turkey: 1 whole bone-in turkey breast (6 1/2 to 7 pounds) 3 turkey drumsticks (about 2 1/4 pounds total) 2 turkey thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds total) Kosher salt 1/4 cup honey 1 head garlic, cut in half (do not peel) 2 bay leaves 4 sprigs thyme 4 large sprigs sage, plus more for garnish 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns 2 teaspoons whole allspice 1/4 cup fresh celery leaves (from 1 bunch) 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted For the Gravy: 2 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup all-purpose flour Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 1. Brine the turkey: Rinse the turkey parts and place in doubled 2 1/2-gallon resealable plastic bags (or a large stockpot). Add 1/4 cup salt, the honey, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, 2 sprigs sage, peppercorns, allspice and celery leaves. Add enough cold water to cover the turkey (about 3 quarts). Press out the air, close the bags and place in a large bowl or other container to protect against any leaks. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. 2. Roast the turkey: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees. Remove the
turkey parts from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place skin-side up on racks set in two medium roasting pans (be sure to leave space between the turkey parts to allow air to circulate). Pour 1 cup water into each pan. Drizzle the turkey parts with melted butter and scatter with the leaves from the remaining 2 sage sprigs. Place 1 pan on each oven rack and roast until the turkey begins to brown, about 30 minutes. 3. Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Switch the positions of the pans and rotate from front to back. Continue roasting until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. Transfer the turkey parts to a platter and tent with foil. 4. Make the gravy: Pour the pan juices into a 4-cup glass measuring cup and let rest until the fat rises to the top, 2 to 3 minutes. Skim off and reserve the fat. Set one roasting pan across two burners, add 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits. Add the simmering broth to the pan juices in the measuring cup, then add the additional chicken broth, if needed, to equal 4 cups liquid. 5. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the broth mixture and any collected juices from the platter. Increase the heat to medium high and boil, uncovered, until thickened, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 6. Carve the turkey pieces and garnish with sage. Serve with the gravy. Recipe courtesy Ted Allen for Food Network Magazine
“One of the biggest mistakes I see with first-time holiday hosts is feeling the need to cook extravagant meals. You’re adding unneeded pressure during an already stressful time! Plan a realistic menu and practice beforehand. Whatever you make the week before you can freeze for leftovers well after the holidays. Who doesn’t like holiday leftovers?” - Ted Allen via Huffington Post
Middle West Spirits is the Columbus-based distiller of OYO vodkas and whiskeys. The company was co-founded in 2008 by Brady Konya and now has its products available at liquor stores, restaurants and bars throughout Ohio. (If you can’t find OYO, call 614.299.2460 and they’ll help you track down a bottle.) There’s an extensive collection of cocktail recipes available at middlewestspirits.com:
Sanguine Eiffel
A classic Champagne cocktail with notes of cherry and peach. 1 oz. OYO Stone Fruit Vodka 1 sugar cube 3 dashes Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters or Angostura bitters 3-4 oz. brut Champagne Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a flute and add the bitters. (Use cherry bitters for a more fruit-forward flavor; use Angostura bitters for a more traditional flavor.) Add the vodka, then slowly fill the flute with Champagne.
Johnny Mathis The Classic Christmas Album
The Classic Christmas Album, by the aforementioned Mathis, consists of selections from his considerable cache of Christmas albums, dating as far back as 1958’s mega-bestselling Merry Christmas.
It also features Mathis’s duet with Bette Midler on the “Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow!” medley, as well as two previously unreleased numbers, “Ol’ Kris Kringle” and “Give Me Your Love for Christmas, both from 1961. outlookohio.com
What a party!
december 2014
17
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg16-19.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 1:36 AM Page 3
Human Nature The Christmas Album
Australian vocal group Human Nature will be familiar to anyone who watches PBS and has seen its Motown show featuring Smokey Robinson. The foursome, featuring gay member Toby Allen, gets festive on The Christmas Album. With the exception of a pair of a cappella numbers, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and the bonus track “Mary’s Boy Child,” Human Nature is backed up by a band on holiday favorites such as “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” “Winter Wonderland” and “This Christmas.” The guys are joined by HLN anchor Robin Meade on “Sleigh Ride” and Smokey Robinson on “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
“When I throw a party, I definitely want to be able to mingle rather than being stuck in the kitchen.” - Cat Cora
Cat Cora’s Leek and Broccoli Tartlets With Pancetta 1 tablespoon butter 1 leek, white and light green parts, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup) 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup light cream 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched broccoli rabe florets, squeezed dry 1/4 cup finely chopped pancetta, optional 30 prebaked miniature phyllo shells (two 15-ounce packages) 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 18
december 2014
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft (8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and set the mixture aside to cool slightly (about 10 minutes). 3. Whisk together egg, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a bowl. Once the onion mixture is cool, add to egg mixture. Divide broccoli rabe and, if using, pancetta among shells. Fill each shell about 3/4 full with custard mixture. Bake until the custard sets (10-15 minutes). Serve warm or at room temperature. via health.com
Whiskey Punch A whiskey twist on a fresh tropical classic 24 oz. OYO Whiskey or OYO Bourbon 12 oz. Grand Gala or Grand Marnier 12 oz. fresh orange juice 12 oz. pineapple juice 1 whole pineapple Angostura Bitters (16-18 servings) In a large container, add one fresh pineapple chopped into bite-size pieces. Pour 6 oz. Angostura bitters over the pineapple chunks, let sit for one hour. Add spirits and juice, refrigerate for three hours. Pull out of the refrigerator, stir well. Just before serving, add 12 oz. Sprite or7-up. Stir well, pour into rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with a pineapple chunk and/or pineapple leaf.
OYO makes great gifts, too.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg16-19.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 1:37 AM Page 4
Pentatonix That’s Christmas to Me
Human Nature isn’t the only vocal group to feature an out gay member. A cappella favorite Pentatonix boasts openly queer Mitch Grassi among its ranks. For the quintet’s first full-length holiday album, That’s Christmas to Me, they give their vocal muscles a workout and throw in a few delightful surprises. A cover of “Let it Go” from Frozen is a pretty inspired choice. The group also earns points for including an original tune - the cheerful title track - which is a nice addition to the holiday songbook. Pentatonix spark “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” into a hand-clapping, foot-stomping gospel experience and take “Silent Night” to church.
Cincinnati Men’s Chorus LP Pics 1. A Charlie Brown Christmas 2. A Christmas Album, Barbra Streisand 3. Christmas Portrait, The Carpenters 4. Merry Christmas, Mariah Carey 5. Safe and Warm, Cincinnati Men’s Chorus 6. My Kind of Christmas, Christina Aguilera 7. The Sinatra Christmas Album, Frank Sinatra 8. Carols for a Cure, Broadway’s Greatest Gifts 9. Christmas Interpretations, Boyz II Men 10. Hip Holidays, Pottery Barn Collection “I love holiday music, so this is both exciting and frustrating, as it’s hard to choose favorites! ” - Charmaine Moore, singer and music advisory committee member at MUSE Muse Favorite Albums: 1. Home for the Holidays, Cincinnati Pops 2. A Little Christmas Music, Kings Singers 3. Christmastime, Swingle Singers 4. December Songs, Sonos 5. When My Heart Finds Christmas, Harry Connick Jr. 6. A Christmas Album, Barbara Streisand 7. He Is Christmas, Take 6 outlookohio.com
The Living Sisters Harmony Is Real
Hipster gays love their divas, too, and they have four to choose from when it comes to The Living Sisters. Growing from a trio (Inara George, Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark) to a quartet with the addition of Alex Lilly (of Obi Best), The Living Sisters present Harmony Is Real, the best holiday album of 2014. What makes it so? First, The Living Sisters’ harmonies are pure perfection. With the exception of the gals’ interpretations of “Jingle Bells” (which must be heard!) and “Little Drummer Boy,” The Living Sisters Harmony Is Real is a stellar set of new songs for the season, as lovely and lively as the Sisters themselves. Mandell’s “Kadoka, South Dakota,” “Baby Wants a Basketball for Christmas,” “Hanukkah” and “Neon Chinese Christmas Eve” are especially brilliant.
James Blackmon’s Top 10 Holiday Hits “This list is by no means definitive, but simply a list of 10 musical suggestions to add to your Christmas playlists this year. If you’re like me, you prefer more traditional holiday musical fare as opposed to, let’s say, Justin Bieber singing “Baby, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, Baby.” But I do have very eclectic musical tastes, and I really enjoy a little of (almost) everything during the holidays. So as you make your 2014 holiday “mix-tape,” consider including these hits to help keep your holiday merry and gay.”
- James Blackmon, musician & columnist
1. “The Christmas Song,” Nat King Cole. Nat’s version of this song is, perhaps, the best Christmas recording ever made. That is all. 2. “We Need a Little Christmas,” Mame. A Christmas show tune - how fabulous is that?! 3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Judy Garland. Another one of the best Christmas recordings. Ever. 4. “Carol of the Bells,” Manheim Steamroller. It was so “modern” and cool when it first came out in 1988 but still holds up after 26 years.
5. Very Best of Burl Ives Christmas, Burl Ives. Too many great songs by him (“Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Silver and Gold”) to just pick one, so get the whole CD. 6. “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” Elmo & Patsy. Being a Southern boy from Alabama, this song gets a lot of airplay where I come from. Great lyrics. 7. “Blue Christmas,” Elvis Presley. Elvis kills it on this song and it’s not quite Christmas for me if I don’t hear it at least once during the holidays. 8. “Merry Christmas Baby,” BB King. As with Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” BB King’s version of this song is the ONLY version of this song, in my opinion. After all, it’s BB King! 9. Christmas Portrait, The Carpenters. I love the Carpenters, and they recorded some really great Christmas songs, like “Merry Christmas Darling,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Waltz,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas. It’s impossible to just pick one, so get the whole CD. 10. Merry Christmas, Mariah Carey. This is, without a doubt, my favorite Christmas album of all time. I LOVE every song on this CD. A little bit traditional, a little bit gospel, a little bit ’60s - this album is great. It’s a Christmas playlist in itself.
And don’t forget the acid metal. Those are some stellar interpretations of the holiday classics.
december 2014
19
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg20.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 9:12 PM Page 1
feature
I’m Gay. Pass the Turkey!
Experts Offer Advice on Coming Out During the Holidays by Bryan Cole
volatility of the season.
The holiday season already has begun, and with it comes a gauntlet of events.
According to PFLAG, it’s important to remember that the reaction of family and friends might not be the same as it would have been in another context.
agreement regarding sleeping arrangements and other logistics. Above all, says PFLAG, “be sensitive to his or her needs as well as your own.”
For some, the holidays might provide a convenient time to come out to multiple people in “The hectic holiday pace may cause family quick succession, or even all at once. Some members to act differently than they would might even find it satisfying to drop the news under less stressful conditions,” warns the on a disapproving family and watch the guide, available online at pflag.org. A negative sparks fly. But Rick Carter, a marriage and reaction should be taken with a grain of salt. family therapist in Columbus, discourages intentionally causing a commotion. But for those in the closet, this time of year The Human Rights Campaign echoes this sentiment, noting that timing is an important “If you are coming from a negative space, can feel like an obstacle course. Whether it’s avoiding your grandparents or dodging ques- thing to consider when planning to come out such as ‘I want to add some shock value to the holidays,’ you may want to do some more tions from a conservative uncle, it can be dif- during the holidays. In its Resource Guide to internal work,” he says. “Coming out is not ficult to reconnect if you feel like you’re hiding Coming Out, HRC advises to “be aware of major life concerns that may make it difficult about being shameful, vengeful or angry, but a piece of yourself. for [others] to respond constructively,” such as rather coming to terms with who you are as an So how do you come out, aside from following your parents hosting a Christmas dinner or ar- authentic human being.” ranging to pick up relatives from the airport. the old joke of telling everyone at the dinner Despite the extra drama, coming out over the table while asking for a dish to be passed? In other words, remember that your family holidays might be the right choice for you. “It’s Because of the stressful nature of this time of members have a lot on their minds, too. important to remember,” HRC says on its tip year, many LGBT groups have released comsheet, “that the person in charge of your coming-out guides specifically discussing the hol- If you’re planning to come out by way of bring- ing out journey is you” - and your sense of auing your partner home with you, it might be thenticity carries more weight than your iday season. Far from prescribing a useful to have a discussion beforehand about family’s sense of “timeliness.” one-size-fits-all approach, these organizations recognize that each situation is different. how affectionate you will be and what he or she can expect from the meeting. By talking in During the talk itself, PFLAG stresses the importance of telling your family that it doesn’t One commonality, however, is the inherent advance, couples can be sure they are in From family get-togethers to coffee with old friends, December is a time for catching up and sharing news from your life. If you’re openly LGBT, you’ll likely have no problem filling in relatives about your adoption plans or that special someone you’ve started dating. No sweat, right?
20
december 2014
Don’t come out until after you’ve put your presents in the car.
fundamentally change who you are. “Reassure family members that you are still the same person they have always known,” they advise, and give them time to process what you have said, especially if you tell them in a bustling holiday environment. Ultimately, Carter says, it is important to understand that you cannot control the reactions you get. “When letting go of your own shame, it is not your responsibility to take on the shame others carry,” he says. Know that you don’t require anyone else’s validation, no matter how heartbreaking their reaction might be. And even then, with time and effort, some of the most stubborn people might learn to accept you. “Over my many years of doing therapy,” Carter says, “most families and friends eventually come around.” So go for it! Your loved ones just might surprise you. And if they don’t, give them time and ring in the New Year with a chosen family instead. Because you deserve to spend the holidays with those who love you for whom you are. outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg21.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:00 AM Page 1
outlookohio.com
Need a unique gift? Check out Reed Arts & Torso. Great gay-owned businesses!
december 2014
21
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg22-23.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:25 AM Page 1
feature
Looking at LGBT 2014 Two Steps Back... Despite victories in the courts, LGBT people continued to be targeted in brutal hate crimes. Here are some that made the news in 2014: Jan 15: Jason Myers, 26, who is developmentally disabled, was repeatedly abused by his brother in the home they shared in Lancaster. The brother thought Myers was gay and once held a knife under his genitals. Jan 27: A transgender woman was hit in the face several times with a pistol by a man in a Washington, DC, convenience store. March 2: JP Masterson and Peter Moore had just celebrated their 10th anniversary in New York City when they were attacked by a man on a subway platform in front of 50 people. March 3: A 15-year-old transgender boy was attacked by three other boys in a high school restroom in Hercules, Calif.
SAVE S FERRI
22
december 2014
March 29: The home of LaTanya Dansey, her girlfriend and their eight children was set ablaze in Miami, Fla, by a neighbor who said he hated seeing the women kiss and didn’t think they should have children. March 31: A woman in Ypsilanti, Mich, was confronted by three men who recognized her from a TV report on marriage equality and then punched her in the face.
Cosby’s father, who had jotted antigay notes in his Koran, was charged.
Mecca, Calif. Police accused a coworker and said Ceballos was targeted because he was bisexual.
May 20: Two transgender women, Janell Crosby and Tyra Woods, were harassed and then attacked by t wo men on an Atlanta mass-transit train.
July 16: Mia Henderson, 26, a transgender woman, was found murdered in Baltimore, Md.
June 1: Dwone Anderson-Young, 23, and Ahmed Said, 27, were shot and killed after leaving a Seattle gay club. Police said the suspect met the men through a phone app for gay men. June 3: Kandy Hall, a 40-year-old transgender woman, was found dead in a field in Baltimore, Md. June 8: Christin Howard, 20, was punched and kicked by a group of men during Detroit’s Pride celebration. June 12: Zoraida Reyes, 28, a transgender immigrants rights activist, was found dead in Anaheim, Calif. June 19: Yaz’min Shancez, 31, was killed and her body set on fire in Fort Myers, Fla. She was transgender. June 26: Tiffany Edwards, 28, was found shot to death on a Cincinnati street. July 2: Mark Rutstein, 40, was punched several times in the face by a woman who began calling him anti-gay names inside a Washington, DC, grocery store.
April 9: A Canadian man was held at gunpoint, raped and robbed by a man he met on Grindr in Philadelphia.
July 12: A 17-year-old girl in Las Cruces, NM, was physically and sexually abused by her mother after coming out as a lesbian, sheriff’s deputies said.
March 7: Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson, a lesbian couple, were found dead in Houston, Texas.
July 13: Juan Ceballos, 20, was shot and killed outside his home in
July 30: A 15-year-old transgender girl was stabbed on a Washington, DC, subway train by a man who used anti-trans slurs before the attack. Sept 11: A gay couple were held down, punched and beaten after walking past a group of men and women in Philadelphia. Three people in the group of Catholic high-school graduates were charged. Sept 25: Two gay men were shot with a BB gun by a Bible-quoting man outside a bar in Minneapolis. Sept 27: A 22-year-old New York man dressed in women’s clothes was shot in the buttocks while being chased by three men shouting anti-gay slurs. Oct 12: Dylan Beard, 17, of Baytown, Texas, was beaten up by a group of kids who told him to meet them at a local park. Oct 28: A gay man was attacked by three men with rocks, bottles and a wooden board in Victorville, Calif. One was a former friend. Nov 9: Stephen Patrick White, 46, of Greensboro, NC, was attacked in a hotel room that was later set on fire by a man he met earlier that night in a gay bar. He died on Nov 15.
See Page 8 for reports on two recent Ohio hate crimes.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg22-23.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:30 AM Page 2
Wrong Side of History
Right Side of History Winter Olympics in Russia
US District Judge Timothy Black, who on April 14 ordered Ohio to recognize the legal, out-of-state marriages of Ohioans in same-sex relationships: “The stated interest in preserving the traditional definition of marriage is not a legitimate justification for Ohio’s arbitrary discrimination against gays based solely on their sexual orientation.”
“Former Italian lawmaker and transgender activist Vladimir Luxuria said she was escorted to a car on Monday by four men without identification and left in a rural area for shouting ‘It’s OK to be gay’ and walking around the Olympic Village for hours clad in all rainbow.” - BuzzFeed LGBT
Gay Games 9 in Cleveland “Wow. Group of Gay Games athletes just got on city bus wearing their medals and got applause from everyone on the bus. That is Cleveland.” - David Jason, @DJ84 via Twitter
Outlook launched statewide in June, (re)introducing itself to the community at Prides across Ohio.
US Appeals Judges Jeffrey Sutton and Ann Cook, who on Nov 6 overruled Black and allowed Ohio to keep its 2004 voterapproved marriage ban. “If a federal court denies the people suffrage over an issue long thought to be within their power, they deserve an explanation. We, for our part, cannot find one.”
We’re Running Out of Toasters! Here are some of the attention-getting coming outs of 2014:
• University of Missouri football player Michael Sam • Arizona State University football player Chip Sarafin • University of Mass basketball player Derrick Gordon
Pride in Ohio
• Supermodel Andreja Pejic (transgender) • German soccer star Thomas Hitzlsperger • Game of Thrones costar Kristian Nairn • Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina
More than half a million people celebrated LGBT pride at summer festivals around Ohio.
• Pro wrestling legend Pat Patterson • Mean Girls costar Daniel Franzese • Neon Trees vocalist Tyler Glenn
Cincinnati: 60,000
• Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe
Cleveland: 25,000
• Former NFL player Brad Thorson • Top Chef winner Kristen Kish
Columbus: 400,000
• Actress Ellen Page
Dayton: 3,000
• Miss Spain Patricia Yurena
Toledo: 18,000
Youngstown: 4,000 outlookohio.com
Happy 2015!
december 2014
23
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg24.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 4:54 AM Page 1
THEY SAID IT! Outtakes from Outlook’s 2014 celebrity interviews: January/RuPaulÊs Drag Race champ Jinkx Monsoon: “Drag queens are soldiers. It takes a huge amount of grit, courage and stamina to do what we do. We are at the front line of every major movement in the efforts for gay rights and equality.” February/You Can Play Executive Director Wade Davis: “There are probably two or three gay players on each NFL team, and most of their teammates actu ally know about it and they really don’t care. What most teams don’t want is the media.” March/A Case Against 8 filmmakers Ben Cotner and Ryan White: “As filmmakers, it felt like being a part of history ... but we know there is so much more history that has to be made that we won’t be filming. For me, it’s bittersweet.” April/Indigo GirlsÊ Amy Ray: “It might be slightly different for someone such as me to be embraced [by the country music establishment] because I’m so obviously left-of-center and gay and out and political and masculine and all that.” May/Uh Huh Her lead vocalist Camila Grey:
“I don’t feel like a ‘female musician,’ and I certainly don’t feel like a ‘lesbian musician.’ We don’t make ‘lesbian music.’ I don’t even know what that sounds like.” June/YouTube boys Mark Miller and Ethan Hethcote:
“This will be my career while it lasts.” July/Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn: “I currently have GROWLr because I like masculine, hairy guys - I guess we call them bears - so I have the app for that. But I’m not actively on it, so I don’t know if people are recognizing me or not.” 24
december 2014
2015 resolution: Use more typefaces!
August/Boy George:
“I think the way you do [videos] now is very different ... It’s almost come full circle back to the beginning when there weren’t massive budgets and you had to be a bit more creative. I think that’s exciting.”
“I actually find the whole gay community an enormous inspiration to me because, Jesus, I’ve never taken the kind of shit gay people take.” September/Sinead OÊConnor:
October/„Same Love‰ singer Mary Lambert:
“Performing for that many people and being nominated for a Grammy is pivotal enough for any individual. But what the song stands for and what I’m singing about and what I’ve written, that to me is more important.” November/Actor Andrew Scott:
“I think straight people actually fundamentally understand homosexual love ... so I have never thought that people are intrinsically homophobic. I think that’s something that’s learned.” December/Better Midler: “If I had a nickel for everybody that said they saw me at the baths, I would be Joe Billionaire by now!” “Pageants are Americana. [Miss America] has transformed so much since the beginning. The girl next door looks different now than she did then. The program needs to evolve as we evolve.” - Kara Mitchell of Columbus, whose finish as first runner up in the 2014 Miss Ohio pageant was the highest ever for a lesbian contestant in the Miss America system outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg25.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 9:03 PM Page 1
complete the circuit
GO MICHIGAN! by Mickey Weems
Almost 40 years ago, some women created a community where lesbians and their straight sisters across the globe could celebrate themselves without interference from men. Today, they’re catching hell for trying to stay true to their original vision. Unlike those born with penises, people born with vaginas are burdened with additional problems that kick in soon after they’re clothed in pink rather than baby blue. Everyday fears haunt every woman: a man catcalling from across the street who may later act out his unsolicited desires by force, or the indignity of a man pressed too close on a subway as he tries to cop a feel. What the cat-caller has in common with the current Speaker of the House is they both were born with penises. The liberties they insist they can take as penis-bearers and restrictions they impose on vagina-bearing bodies are their birthright. In response, American lesbians formed penis-free social spaces after Stonewall in 1969. Rather than vagina = victim, which was pretty much in effect everywhere, they proposed a radically different equation: vagina = VIP. In fact, you could not even get in the gate without one. One such safe space was created in more than 600 acres of Michigan forest. The women who set it up faced taunts and threats from self-appointed representatives of the heteropatriarchy, but they persevered. outlookohio.com
In August 2015, they’ll celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival (also known as Michfest or the Michigan), a gathering that invites women to do what they do best: everything.
Annual Music Festival Has a Right to Lesbian Focus
release, Michfest organizers responded:
Music, dancing, worship, workshops - community - are present in this temporary town that women build just for themselves.
Michfest is widely known as a predominantly lesbian community. This does not mean that heterosexual womyn, bisexual womyn or those who do not share this identity are not present or welcome. But for a week, we collectively experience a lesbian centered world…
The history of Michfest is one of inclusion unless the person in question has a penis. Then it gets complicated. Women who want to bring their adult male partners are forbid-
There are trans womyn and trans men who attend and work at the festival who participate in the Michfest community in this same spirit - as supporters of, rather than detrac-
“I would love to witness for myself the magic that is kindled every summer at Michfest. But I am not welcome, and that is fine with me.”
penis-bearers. Unlike Michfest, circuit parties are open to anyone who wants to buy an overpriced ticket. But circuit parties cater primarily to gay men-born-men cruising gay men-born-men. The same is true for men’s Leather spaces some of which are men-only - and Bear parties. Attendees must realize that the intention of these events and spaces is, first and foremost, a safe space for men born with dicks to sword-fight, on and off the dance floor. These are our parties. Others are welcome, but they attend only if they can play by our rules. We refuse to be erased from our own events. Revel in what we create - we love to be appreciated - and make a place for yourself among us. But on our terms, not yours.
den to do so - unless their partners were born female. Initially, trans women were not allowed. In 1991, Nancy Burkholder was escorted off the premises because she was not born with a vagina. After years of protest, Michfest organizers relented and publicly apologized for what had happened to Ms. Burkholder. Trans women could attend. What was once an exclusionary policy is now referred to as an “intention.” Michfest officials recognize trans women as their sisters, but they insist that the heart of the festival as a haven for lesbian womenborn-women not be erased. The intention inspired LGBT groups such as HRC and Equality Michigan to condemn the festival and call for boycotts. In a 2014 press
tors from, our female focused culture. The presence of trans womyn at Michfest has been misrepresented as a kind of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” But the real issue is about the focus of the event, a focus on the experience of those born female, who’ve lived their lives subjected to oppression based on the sole fact of their being female. I am a penis-bearing individual (from birth) who has no desire to identify as a woman. I would love to witness for myself the magic that is kindled every summer at Michfest. But I am not welcome, and that is fine with me. For years, I have attended circuit parties, events specifically created for born-penisbearers who like to hook up with other born-
Nothing says lesbian party like a confetti cannon.
It is not too much to ask straight women, trans women, and trans men to respect the intention of Michfest, first and foremost, as a safe haven for lesbian womyn-born-womyn who welcome their straight sisters, formerly penis-bearing sisters, and non-penis-bearing-at-birth brothers to celebrate with them. Keep in mind that it is an invitation to celebrate - and respectfully debate - but not to dictate terms and issue pointless ultimatums. Equality Michigan and HRC, quit bashing something so beautiful. Mickey Weems is a writer, educator and creator of the Qualia Encyclopedia of Gay Folklife. You can follow him at mickeyweems.com or qualiafolk.com, or email him at mickeyweems@yahoo.com. Complete the Circuit runs every other month in Outlook. december 2014
25
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg26.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 9:18 PM Page 1
the other side
All I Really Wanted for Christmas
by James Blackmon
I love the holiday season. Ever since I was just a little James (Jay, actually) this has been my favorite time of the year. That period from Oct 31 through Jan 1 contains my four favorite annual holidays all jam-packed into an exciting two month end-of-the-year bang. Also, being a young closeted gay boy didn’t seem to matter so much during this time. I grew up in the ’70s and early ’80s - back when holidays, like Halloween, used to be fun. There was no regimented, official Trick-or-Treat Day and Time, and you didn’t walk around with your parents (God forbid - the embarrassment!). Back then, trick-or-treating was done on Halloween, with big groups of friends or siblings or cousins, when the sun went down and it was dark. It was so simple. There were always some older teenaged siblings in the pack, and we’d go from house to house as long as a porch light was on. We knew trick-or-treating was over when the porch lights were turned off, and then we went home and ate ourselves into a coma. But for me, the highlight of the Big Four holidays was and still is Christmas. I love Christmas. As soon as the local radio stations start playing Christmas music, that’s all I listen to in my car until Jan 2. I think I love Christmas so much because my childhood memories of Christmas are all wonderful. My parents made the holiday special for us. The living room was filled with stuff, and Santa always brought bags of nuts, fresh fruit, Christmas cookies and candy. 26
december 2014
I pretty much got everything I’d ask Santa for: NFL Vibrating Football game, a magic kit, Hot Wheels racetrack, Dick Smith Movie/TV Make Up Kit, and any TV game show’s home game that was in the Sears catalogue (Concentration, Password, Family Feud, The Price Is Right - I had them all). But even though I loved those toys, little gay me was often jealous of the Barbie dolls and other great stuff my sister got. Of course, I’d never ask Santa for any “girly” stuff. Instead, I’d just sneak into her room when she wasn’t around and play with her toys. Ah, good times. So in honor of the hours spent in my sister’s room, these are the top four toys I wish had been mine:
Play Kitchen Set: My sister’s was burnt orange and had cabinets, a range, a refrigerator and a sink. I’d pretend I was June Cleaver, cooking for my man who’d be home from work soon.
“Little gay me was often jealous of the Barbie dolls and other great stuff my sister got. Of course, I’d never ask Santa for any ‘girly’ stuff. Instead, I’d just sneak into her room when she wasn’t around and play with her toys.”
Mystery Date: Remember this? I loved this game! I don’t remember the rules, but I do remember having to open the door in the middle of the game board to reveal who your mystery date was. I had a crush on the Dud date. His attire was a bit messy, but he had this scruffy 5 o’clock shadow that was so hot. I always thought the Formal guy in his white dinner jacket was the Dud. Easy Bake Oven: This one I played with her. She was older, and I’d help her make those gross little cakes that we’d devour like they were a delicacy. By the time I was 9 or 10, though, I wanted my own Easy Bake Oven.
Barbie’s Friend Ship Airplane: My favorite, hands down. It came in this little carrying case that opened up to reveal the interior of one side of an airplane, from the cockpit all the way to the galley in the back. I’d take my GI Joes and her Barbies, put them inside and pretend the plane crashed into the ocean like in Airport ’77. What? Nobody else did that?
I know some of us hate the holidays. I suppose it has something to do with the childhood memories associated with them. My memories are great, though. Our family holidays were happy, joyous and drama-free. For whatever things my parents may have gotten wrong with raising a gay kid back then, they definitely got the holiday thing right. I’m so grateful for that. And I’ll treasure those memories forever. Happy Holidays, everyone! James Blackmon is a musician, actor, director and former owner of James Club 88 in Columbus. You can follow him on Twitter at @MrJamesBlackmon. The Other Side runs every other month in Outlook.
Boys, which date did you always want when you played Mystery Date?
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg27.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 2:29 PM Page 1
outlookohio.com
You can kiss here. We won’t tell.
december 2014
27
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg28.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 8:05 PM Page 1
28
december 2014
Film lives there, but behind bars.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg29.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 9:21 PM Page 1
creative class
This Christmas, Dave Koz Wants to
photo: Bryan Sheffield
Sax You Up by Erin McCalla According to Hallmark, the traditional present for a 17th anniversary is wine or spirits. The Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2014 - his 17th consecutive - will stop at the Palace Theatre in Columbus on Dec 11 and at the Connor Palace Theatre in Cleveland the following night, Dec 12.
see something different. It’s so much fun to build something from scratch.” This year, Koz is joined by Jonathan Butler, a South African singer and guitarist; Maysa, an R&B gospel belter and powerhouse; and Christopher Cross, the singer and songwriter known for “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” which won him an Academy Award for Best Song.
We’ll toast to that! Koz, an American jazz saxophonist who was named one of People magazine’s 50 Hottest Bachelors in 2004 after he came out in The Advocate (“a lot of good that did for my dating life,” he jokes), doesn’t show signs of stopping his yearly Christmas show. “One of the reasons we’ve been able to do it so many years in a row is because the show changes every year,” Koz said. “The feeling is what we are trying to keep consistent, and that is the feeling of warmth. It’s very Christmas-y and it’s fun and there is a lot of audience participation. The cast of characters revolves, so people can come each year and outlookohio.com
During this tour, Koz is also promoting his latest vocal duet Christmas album, 25th of December, featuring, among others, Johnny Mathis, Gloria Estefan, Richard Marx, BeBe Winans, India.Arie, Eric Benet and Trombone Shorty. The album is a good mix of holiday standards like “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “O Holy Night” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” but it’s capped off by a soulful rendition of the iconic Beatles song, “All You Need Is Love,” sung by a full cast of vocalists joined by Stevie Wonder.
had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” Koz said. “It was an all-time high for me. The first thing that came out of his mouth was perfect - the first take.” Koz’s decision to include the non-traditional “All You Need Is Love” on his holiday album seemed like an easy decision to make. “It hit me one day, ‘I wonder if the song has been used in a Christmas context?’ If not, why couldn’t it go on this album? Initially, Jonathan [Butler] was just going to sing it, but as we got into the album, all these other artists were involved, it came to the producer and myself to borrow from the ‘We Are the World’ playbook and get all these voices together to truly make it a collaboration on this great song,” Koz said. “There’s no competing with the original, but maybe this version, timing wise, is a good time for a simple statement about love. Because we are living in these times that are very complex and there is a lot of misunderstanding and intolerance - not only in our country but also all over the world.”
And since Koz and Friends’ concert is about 65 percent Christmas music and 35 percent non-holiday music, you’ll be sure to hear “All You Need Is Love” along with the catalog of hits from the other artists. “We have never done 100 percent Christmas music; I think it’s too much,” Koz said. “The audience is a huge part of the show. They are like the co-headliner. They are pushing and pointing where the show goes.” And because of the audiences and venues, Koz said the Ohio shows are some of his favorite stops on his tour. “I hate to say it, because I don’t want to leave other parts of the country out, but we start this tour in Florida. And it’s 70 degrees outside. It’s just not the same as when you hit the Midwest,” he said. “It’s cold and you gotta bundle up to get to the venue from the hotel. And there’s just this ... feeling, and it adds to the whole thing. We love the Midwest shows.” To listen to 25th of December in its entirety and to purchase tickets for the tour, visit davekoz.com
“Stevie Wonder! Just singing on my album! I
Why? Koz.
december 2014
29
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg30.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 9:26 PM Page 1
30
december 2014
You might want to move those weddings inside for a few months.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg31.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 11:11 PM Page 1
deep inside hollywood
Fortune Feimster
Would Somebody Please Make Feimster Famous?
American Gigolo Turns a New Trick: Showtime
OK, let’s try this again. Regular viewers of Chelsea Lately already know the wild talent of queer stand-up Fortune Feimster, the staff writer and roundtable staple whose fearless comedy is the perfect combination of smart, physical, bold and weird.
American Gigolo is coming to TV.
With the end of Lately, Feimster was ready to move on to bigger projects. And that’s where Hollywood stepped in and made everything complicated.
We’re talking about a new television series from Showtime based on the classic ’80s neo-noir film American Gigolo, the one that starred Richard Gere as a beautiful and expensive sex worker. It was also the one that jumpstarted the decade in ways Reagan never could, giving us skinny ties, GQ as an adjective, full-frontal male nudity, permission as a culture to begin objectifying male bodies, and Blondie’s “Call Me.”
First there was the sitcom Chelsea Handler herself was to produce. Then there was Cabot College, the Tina Fey pilot starring Feimster that was not picked up to go to series. So here’s hoping the third time - with an as-yetunnamed pilot, again from Fey, again starring Feimster, scooped up by ABC - will charm someone with the power to order a full season. This one is, apparently, more tailored directly to Feimster, based on her own family life and set in her home state of North Carolina. We don’t care if it’s set on the moon, just give us more of that awesome lesbian.
Hailee Steinfeld in ‘Love at First Sight’
Hailee Steinfeld has, at this point in her short, young career, spent her time playing characters whose serious, headstrong personalities have allowed her to sidestep the usual roles thrown at teen actors. (We will collectively forget that terrible Romeo and Juliet adaptation she wound up in). But those sorts of roles are in lesser supply, and the YAnovel-to-film machine is chugging along and demanding more and more A-list young ’uns to stock their ranks. So it was inevitable that she would find her way into one. Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com.
Hailee Steinfeld
Presenting, then, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, the novel by Jennifer E Smith, soon to be a film from Dustin Lance Black (Milk), starring Steinfeld. The young adult romance is set over the course of 24 hours and involves a girl named Haldey waiting at JFK airport, where she meets Oliver, her seatmate on a flight to London. Love blooms at 40,000 feet. We don’t know which one of them is the statistician. We hope it’s her.
So far there’s no casting information or shooting schedule, just a commitment to produce from Jerry Bruckheimer, the promise of beefcake and, maybe, a relaxing of the original character’s distaste for male customers. This is all good news, of course. And now that there’s no more Hung or The Client List, we need a show about prostitution that the country can rally around and believe in again.
This Time He Means It: Pee-wee Movie Official Official announcements are a strange thing.
We had heard the new Pee-wee Herman movie was a go a while back. But then maybe it wasn’t as go-ish as we had been led to believe. Or maybe it was and then someone’s mind changed, or money didn’t come through, or studio executives played musical chairs, or Paul Reubens was speaking out of turn, or who knows. In the business of entertainment, sometimes it’s a miracle that anything gets accomplished at all, much less something as important as a new Pee-wee project of any sort. But now Reubens himself, recently on The Tonight Show, announced it again: There will be a Pee-wee Herman film, and Judd Apatow will produce it. It’s official. It’s official-official. It’s ready for you to love it so much you want to marry it.
And we also hope nobody has to die at the end. That’s been happening a lot lately.
Well, not ready, really. Nothing’s happened yet. But something’s going to happen. They mean it this time. More details as this develops. Every single detail, including exclusive information about wigs and puppets.
Not so into it anymore.
You heard it hear first. Again.
Paul Reubens outlookohio.com
And no, this is not a mistake and we’re not talking about a new season of Gigolos, Showtime’s cheesy “reality” show about male escorts in Las Vegas.
Was Pee-wee in Tron?
Romeo San Vicente is today’s secret word. He can be reached at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. december 2014
31
Divine Intervention
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg32-33.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/19/14 6:59 PM Page 1
interview
Bette Midler Talks Early LGBT Support, ‘Diva’ Degradation, Twerking and Equal Wig Rights
by Chris Azzopardi
Before the whole world knew her as the Divine Miss M, Bette Milder was ours. In the early ’70s, bawdy, belt-y Bette was performing for the New York bathhouse boys, and don’t think she’s forgotten it, either. “I mean, if I had a nickel for everybody that said they saw me at the baths,” says Midler in our recent interview, “I would be Joe Billionaire by now!” Midler would go on to global fame, reaching beyond music to become a celebrated name in film, television and on the stage, winning Grammys, Golden Globes, Emmys and a special Tony Award. And now, the eagerly awaited return of one of show business’s most versatile performers has arrived with the release of her first album in eight years, It’s the Girls, a tribute to some of the greatest female harmonies in history. Chris Azzopardi: You were welcoming to the gay community at a time when many weren’t. When you look back at your early support for the LGBT community, what do you recall as being the moment that galvanized you to stand up as an ally? Bette Midler: I had been in the theater for a long time, from the time I was a young person, and I’d always known gay people - and they were just, like, gay people! Just ordinary friends. People that you knew, and that you never thought twice about. You didn’t think of them as being different, although looking back on my high school years, I think there were a lot of people in my high school - this is so many years ago; this is 50 years ago - who probably were gay and didn’t ever talk about it. As a matter of fact, one of the kids that I went to school with, an enormously popular 32
december 2014
guy - really funny, really wonderful - who was in my Latin class, wrote me before he passed away from AIDS to tell me that he had been gay and that he had contracted AIDS.
he started off great and then worked himself up into a real frenzy as only he could.
He said that the gay community had never supported civil rights and, “Where were you when we were riding and they were kicking us to the curb and we were being fire-hosed?” Then he said, “You all can kiss my rich, black ass!” and he stomped off the stage.
So, I mean, what was the moment when I said that it was time to stand up? Oh my god, it never occurred to me not to. These were friends of mine, people that I had worked Bette on the gays: with, people that I had And I had to follow danced with, people him! I mean, I’m “I mean, what was the I had broken bread just stripping it with my whole life, but imagmoment when I said that it bare, so it never ocine what hapcurred to me not pened. So I was time to stand up? Oh my went to. out and said, “You all god, it never occurred to can kiss my rich, You do what you do because there’s nothwhite ass,” and of me not to.” ing else to do. There’s course then everyno other option. thing was much better, but it was such a CA: But to stand up for people who were curious seen as pariahs - that was taboo then. evening. Bette on stage: Did you experience any backlash for “I love makeup and supporting gay people at the time? BM: You know, I might have, but I hair. I just love it, love was very well-protected in those days. I actually did not feel it. I reit, love it! I love becoming member the first big benefit that anyone had done for gay rights (A somebody that Star Spangled Night for Rights in I 1977). I remember the think I’m not.” poster, and it was at Stonewall Bette the Hollywood ... was the first on wigs: Bowl. Lily (Tomtime (the gay community) “Cher has lin), Richard fought back, but, you know, in history Pryor and Tom everyone says, “I was there.” I mean, 55 wigs; why Waits were on the if I had a nickel for everybody that said can’t I?” program, but nothey saw me at the baths, I would be Joe body ever said LGBT Billionaire by now! then. That didn’t exist. CA: It’s the Girls celebrates and honors female performers who branded a So that night, Tom Waits sang “Standin’ very particular image. I mean, they defon the Corner” and then Richard initely were not twerking. Pryor came out, and Richard Pryor BM: Ugh. I don’t know what to tell you. I just started off great. I don’t even know if this is in your history books or anything, but saw that Jennifer Lopez video with Iggy What’s your favorite Bette movie?
Azalea - “Booty booty booty...” - and oh, girls, please! What can you say? Girls... please. CA: How do you compare the girl groups from the era you’re channeling to what you’re seeing now? BM: It was a really wholesome era in retrospect. It was sexy, but it was not blatant. It was intriguing and it was mysterious because it wasn’t flat out in your face. It was also supremely elegant. You know, I talk about this with my girlfriend Toni Basil, another gay icon: Those voices, the black voices, were not familiar to white ears. They simply never heard those voices singing harmony before. You never really heard those really strong, vibrant black girls singing until The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Chiffons, and then the Motown girls, and the girls who came after: Sister Sledge, the Emotions and down the line. The Honeycombs? Is there a group called The Honeycombs? I personally wanted to cover (the Weather Girls’) “Two Tons o’ Fun” but everyone said, “No, no, you can’t cut that,” so I didn’t. CA: You’ve been a self-proclaimed diva. In fact, your 1997 HBO special was called Diva Las Vegas, and during your Las Vegas spectacle at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, The Showgirl Must Go On, you said you were the “People’s Diva.” At this point, has the meaning of the word “diva” changed so much that you no longer identify with it? BM: It’s a word that is just so overused that it’s really lost all currency. It no longer has any meaning at all. Any old slob on the Internet can say, “Well, I’m a ‘diva,’” and have some people believing it, but not me. In the old, old, old, old days - you know, during the Civil War when I was just a child - it meant the star. It was an opera term, outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg32-33.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 11:17 PM Page 2
Bette on divas:
“It has been so de-
graded now. It’s a
shame because it really was a wonderful word.”
and it meant a female opera singer who really could carry the whole opera, and it has been so degraded now. It’s a shame because it really was a wonderful word. CA: What does “diva” mean to you now? BM: It means nothing. It has absolutely no meaning at all. Divine still has meaning because there’s still a church, but diva has absolutely no meaning at all. CA: You hit the road for your first tour in 10 years; how many wigs are you bringing along with you? BM: Oh my god - I have a truck! I have a whole truck. Well, Cher always does. Cher has 55 wigs; why can’t I? To tell you the truth, I have been wearing wigs since, let’s see, the very, very old days. Since I first started making motion pictures - movies! - I’ve always worn wigs. Always, always, always. It really does spare you. It really is a time-saver, and I really enjoy them. And I love makeup and hair. I just love it, love it, love it! I love becoming somebody that I’m not. As they used to say about Mae West: “A little old lady used to come in onto the set and go into the trailer, and four hours later Mae West would come out.” It’s really kind of like that.
Bette on twerking:
“Girls... please.”
many moons ago, I used to do an impersonation of Mae West, and I did it on the Johnny Carson show - my very first Johnny Carson show - and she sent me a letter telling me to cease and desist, which I swear to god I still have. I didn’t understand it at the time. I thought, “What’s wrong with her?” Now that I’ve done all the reading and am of a certain age, I totally get it. She was protecting what she had made. She was protecting her creation. That was practically a trademark and she didn’t want anyone to mishandle her creation. Ultimately, she was right. So I bowed to her wishes; I ceased and desisted. And I think it’s so amusing. After all that, if the script actually comes to the point of doing it, it certainly would be revenge. Take that, Mae! Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com.
CA: It was announced in late 2013 that you were cast as Mae in an upcoming HBO biopic. How’s that project coming along? BM: I’ll tell you something: The script just came in, but I haven’t seen it. I’m waiting for the director, Billy Friedkin [The Exorcist], to make his notes, and then he’s gonna hand it off to me and we’ll see what happens. I’m really looking forward to it because I’ve been reading and doing my due diligence. She’s such a fabulous - she’s so fucking nuts! I mean, she was so insane. And you know, when I started my career all those outlookohio.com
You think her favorite colors are blush and bashful?
december 2014
33
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg34-35.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 11:39 PM Page 1
trippinÊ out
O’Grady’s features Drag Queen Dirty Bingo every Wednesday night. photo: Beth Ervin Leventhal
Our Gaybors to the North TorontoÊs Gay Village IsnÊt the CityÊs Only LGBT-Friendly Place
by Aaron Leventhal A riot of neon light along a five-block strip on Church Street welcomes visitors to Toronto’s Gay Village (aka “the Gaybourhood”), crammed full of bars, provocative nightclubs, restaurants, cafés and shops. The bad news and the good news, however, is that the Gay Village is losing its appeal. “Toronto is so openly gay that gay establishments have sprung up all over town,” said Anna Bura, manager for 11 years of O’Grady’s, a Gay Village landmark restaurant and club. In fact, O’Grady’s attracts as many straight customers as gays today, with nightly entertainment that includes karaoke on Sundays, Gina’s Dirty Bingo on Wednesdays, Drag and Dinner on Thursdays and Bear Nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Toronto’s first same-sex marriage took place in 2001, Bura proudly points out, before marriage equality came to Ontario (2003) and all of Canada (2005). Kath34
december 2014
Travel writer Aaron Leventhal explores the vast array of artisans and food merchants at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market. photo: Beth Ervin Leventhal.
leen Wynne, the premier of Ontario since 2013, is the first woman to hold that office and also is the first openly gay head of government in Canada.
Major events in 2015 include the 25th Annual Inside Out LGBT Film Festival, May 21-31, and Pride Toronto, June 1928.
Our waiter, Jeremy Manicat, concurs that Toronto is completely free for LGBT people to live open and productive lives. He also laments that the Gay Village is “losing its unique cachet as local entrepreneurs move out of the Village to be replaced by corporate enterprises.”
For more information, check out odysseymagazine.net and dailyXtra.com.
Manicat recommends Gay Village night spots including Woody’s and its adjoining brother bar, Sailor; Pegasus; and Crews & Tangos for its popular drag shows. Other Church Street hot spots are Black Eagle for Naked Nights; Byzantium, the Gay Village grand matriarch celebrating its 17th anniversary; and Boutique Bar, featuring classic cocktails and friendly, attentive staff. Outside the Village, gay favorites include the Henhouse; Wrongbar; Flying Beaver Pubaret; El Convento Rico, which is Toronto’s longest-running Latino drag bar; and Wayla Bar.
Where to Stay We enjoyed our stay at the Bonnevue Manor Bed and Breakfast, a 19th-century Victorian architectural gem nestled in the eclectic Queen West neighborhood. The gay-friendly, beautifully restored 14room inn loaded with antiques is conveniently located two blocks from public transit and only a 15-minute ride to the City Centre. Free parking, wi-fi and homemade gourmet breakfasts prepared by innkeeper Glen Dodds are included. (416.536.1455, bonnevuemanor.com) Hotel Victoria is Toronto’s second-oldest hotel, an iconic landmark built in 1909. Located in the downtown financial district, the intimate 56-room inn features wi-fi, laundry service and Over Easy, a lobby restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. (416.363.1666, hotelvictoriatoronto.com)
Toronto starred as Pittsburgh in Queer as Folk.
Where to Go O’Grady’s: ogradyschurch.ca Woody’s: woodystoronto.com Pegasus: pegasusonchurch.com Crews & Tangos: crewsandtangos.com Black Eagle: blackeagletoronto.com Byzantium: byz.ca Boutique Bar: boutiquebar.ca The Henhouse: henhousetoronto.com Wrongbar: wrongbar.com Flying Beaver Pubaret: pubaret.com El Convento Rico: elconventorico.com Wayla Bar: FB: Wayla Bar When to Go • Inside Out LGBT Film Festival, May 21-31: insideout.ca/torontofestival • Pride Toronto, June 19-28: pridetoronto.com Getting There Toronto is an easy drive from anywhere in Ohio. You can travel through Detroit, but head through New York and stop to view the magnificent Niagara Falls, preferably the Canadian side. Be sure to remember your passport.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg34-35.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 11:39 PM Page 2
Toronto International Film Festival Screens Best Queer Films Time magazine has recognized the Toronto International Film Festival as the most influential, and it’s no wonder. With an audience exceeding 200,000, TIFF annually screens 300 films from more than 60 nations for 10 days every September. Founded in 1976, the festival has grown to be the largest, most prestigious and popular film festival in the world. Every imaginable genre is screened, from Hollywood blockbusters and provocative documentaries to short cuts, animations and exceptional queer films. The vast majority are world premieres, and directors, actors and producers often participate in Q&A sessions after screenings. Notable LGBTQ films screened at the 2014 TIFF included: Pride, a British comedy of class struggle; Love in the Time of Civil War, a French Canadian tale of addiction and the sex that funds it; Pasolini, the story of Italian film maker and painter Pier Paolo Pasolini, starring Willem Dafoe; and Breath, a French film focused on two high school girls and their intense relationship.
Exploring the Colorful Neighborhoods of Toronto
shops, bakers, fishmongers and intimate cafés is reminiscent of New York’s Lower East Side. If your passion is bargain shopping, you’ll find it here.
Established as a French fur trading post in 1750, Toronto has morphed into Canada’s largest and most cosmopolitan city with a regional population exceeding 6 million people.
Chinatown is second in size to San Francisco’s. Hundreds of shops and restaurants line Dundas Street, with a smattering of Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean establishments as well. If dim sum is your thing, you’ll find it here in abundance.
What makes Toronto unique is its distinctive ethnic neighborhoods scattered throughout its downtown core. It is a colorful mosaic with hundreds of thousands of Italians, Chinese, West Indians and Greeks as well as large populations of Germans, French, Scots, Vietnamese and Poles, all residing harmoniously with one another. In fact, in 1989, the United Nations designated Toronto as the world’s most diverse city - noting that it is exceptionally safe, clean and hospitable. There are numerous world-class attractions, from the Casa Loma castle and Metro Toronto Zoo to the Art Gallery of Toronto. However, it is the city’s colorful ethnic neighborhoods with their markets, bakeries, restaurants and eclectic shops that have most captivated me during numerous visits.
For more information, go to TIFF.net.
Listed below are some of my favorite neighborhoods. Forget your car. Public transportation by taxi, bus and subway is inexpensive and reliable.
Outlook travel columnist Aaron Leventhal has arranged for accommodations and tickets for 2015 TIFF in September. For more information, go to leventhaltravel.com.
Kensington Market, originally home to the Jewish community, is now an eightblock bazaar exploding with smells, sights and sounds. Its lively tangle of narrow streets filled with clothing
outlookohio.com
Little Italy, inhabited by more than 200,000 Italians, is the largest Italian speaking community in the world outside Italy. There is a Mediterranean ambiance here with dozens of restaurants serving authentic regional dishes. You’ll also find shops carrying the latest Italian fashions. Greektown, stretching along Danforth Avenue, emanates a savory aroma of grilled kebabs, moussaka and retsina wine. It is the largest Greek community in North America and noted for its white stucco cafes, vegetable stands and the nightlife bouzouki beat. Other neighborhoods worthy of exploration include The Beaches, along the sandy shore of Lake Ontario; and Yorkville, formerly a ’60s counterculture haven and now the city’s most sophisticated neighborhood, with elegant art galleries, fine restaurants and boutiques. Also of note are the West Indian, Polish, East Indian and Jewish communities. For more information go to seetorontonow.com or call 1.800.363.1990.
Toronto Pride 2015 overlaps with both Columbus and Cincinnati.
december 2014
35
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg36.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:37 AM Page 1
bookmark
On Top of His Game Coming Out Gave Robbie Rogers a Kick in His Career
by Pete Olsen “Just getting some sh*t off my chest,” @robbierogers tweeted on April 15, 2013, to about 80,000 followers (he now has more than 225,000) with a link to a dual-purpose blog post: He was coming out as gay and retiring from professional soccer. As Rogers details in his newly released memoir, Coming Out to Play, that post originated months before. While mulling the idea of coming out, he wrote the letter merely as an introspective exercise. He put it in a drawer, where it sat for two months.
‘Oh, this is different’ ... Scott had facial hair, so he was scruffy, and he was, well, a guy.” I spoke to Rogers about the book, his time playing for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, homophobia in locker rooms, and how his life has changed since coming out and coming out of retirement. He now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
But he was wrong about one thing: Being openly gay and a professional athlete were not mutually exclusive. People from around the world, gay and straight, sent him messages of thanks and support.
Rogers played for the Crew during its most successful years to date: consecutive years winning the Supporters Shield in 2008 and 2009 (given to the team with the best regular season record) and the MLS Cup in 2008 (the only championship in the club’s 18 years).
He heard from his former Crew mates: Brad Evans, Frankie Hejduk, coach Sigi Schmid and others. The entire professional soccer On a whim and with encouragement from his community echoed ex, the first guy he dated, he posted it online He described his years with the Crew as some the chorus of support and and sent out the tweet. He hadn’t warned his of the best of his career. He said he still talks added sentiments regarding his retirement, of the season, and succeeding, Rogers refamily. He had no idea it would go viral. He with many members of the championship many saying that he’d be welcomed back with cently signed a multi-year extension with the wasn’t prepared for any interteam. open arms. Galaxy. He also signed on as a producer of an est from the press - or ABC show loosely based on his life, Men in that the press, when With Columbus having They lived up to their words when Rogers Shorts. “While I was [in unable to reach such visible and vibrant joined his hometown LA Galaxy on May 24, Columbus], I was so him, would seek LGBT and fashion com- 2013. Rogers had the opportunity to return to Columcomment from munities - Rogers has focused on my career bus in August as an openly gay man playing his family. his own fashion line Coming Out to Play ends with Rogers talking and thought it would be for the visitors. and interned for the about his return to the pitch, entering a game impossible to be a profesHe knew the fashion desk vs. the Seattle Sounders on May 26, 2013. But “It was really fun,” he said. “[The Galaxy] lost sional soccer player and blog didn’t tell at Men’s Health in we’re now 18 months past that appearance, - so that part sucked - but the fans were an out gay man.” enough of his London while playing so I asked for the postscript to the book. great.” story, so he wrote for Leeds United - I - Robbie Rogers Coming Out to Play asked if he ever consid“I’m in a perfect position right now,” he said. He described the experience as coming full cirto fill in the details. ered coming out while playing “We have a great team, great locker room, my cle: leaving the Crew, going to Europe, coming The book is a quick, easy for the Crew. family is close by, and I’ve been playing well out, joining the Galaxy and coming back to read, and his story is relatable for this season. I’m just really enjoying myself.” Columbus. “I had a great experience when I anyone who has struggled in the closet, as an “I wasn’t ready,” said. “By the time I was leavwas back in Columbus, and I’m looking forathlete or not. ing Columbus, I was starting to think, ‘I need He said being out has improved the atmosward to future visits.” to do something because I’m so miserable.’” phere in the locker room compared to what he He writes extensively about his relationship had experienced in the past. While the fact he’ll be in the middle of a soccer with his family, friends and teammates, with “But while I was there, I was so focused on my season meant swift dismissal of my unauthohis traditional Catholic upbringing as an un- career and thought it would be impossible to “It’s just so completely different, because I’m rized invitation to be grand marshal for the dercurrent affecting those relationships and be a professional soccer player and an out gay out now. When you have an out athlete in a Columbus Pride parade - it’s the same parade his struggle to accept his sexuality. He writes man.” locker room, people learn. They learn that they he once watched as a closeted man from his about praying to be changed and attempting can’t say some things. They’re more sensitive apartment in the Short North - he did say he’d to do so by sleeping with women, which also Rogers left the Crew to pursue dreams of play- to what’s coming out of their mouths.” talk to his publishers about scheduling a helped to keep people from questioning his ing professionally in Europe. But he was set book-signing in early 2015. sexuality. back by injuries, and the pressure of being in That environment has led to success for the closet was too much. So he came out and Rogers on and off the field. After changing po- Pete Olsen is staff counsel for the Columbus Blue Jackets He also writes about his first experience with a retired at age 25 in that single tweet. sitions from midfield to defense in the middle of the NHL and a 2012 graduate of Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. man: “While we kissed, I remember thinking, 36
december 2014
Basketball’s gay pro, Jason Collins, announced his retirement in November.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg37.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/20/14 1:53 PM Page 1
outlookohio.com
xxx
december 2014
37
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg38-39.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:41 AM Page 1
OHIO LGBT NIGHTLIFE ROUNDUP BARS & CLUBS Akron Adams Street 77 N Adams St Akron, Ohio 44305 330.434.9794 adamsstreetbar.com Cocktails 1009 S Main St Akron, Ohio 44311 330.376.2625 FB: Cocktails Akron Interbelt 70 N Howard St Akron, Ohio 44310 330.253.5700 interbelt.com Square Nightclub 820 W Market St Akron, Ohio 44310 330.374.9661 squarenightclub.com Tear-Ez 360 S Main St Akron, Ohio 44311 330.376.0011 tear-ez.com
Home Base Tavern 2401 Vine St Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 513.721.1212 hbtpride.com
Mean Bull / Aura 1313 E 26th St Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.812.3330 meanbull.com
Slammers 202 E Long St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.221.8880 FB: Slammers
Stage Door 44 N Jefferson St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.7418 FB: The Stage Door
Old Street Saloon 13 Old St Monroe, Ohio 45050 513.539.9183 oldstreetbar.com
Twist 11633 Clifton Blvd Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.221.2333 FB: Twist Sc
Southbend Tavern 126 E Moler St Columbus, Ohio 43207 614.444.3386 FB: SouthBendTavern
Lima
On Broadway 817 Broadway St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.2555 FB: On Broadway Bar
Vibe 11633 Lorain Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216.476.1970
The Toolbox Saloon 744 Frebis Ave Columbus, Ohio 43206 614.670.8113 FB: TheToolbox Saloon
Columbus Serpent 4042 Hamilton Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45223 513.681.6969 serpentbar.com Shooters 927 Race St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.381.9900 FB: Shooters Bar Simon Says 428 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.381.7577
AWOL 49 Parsons Ave Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.621.8779 FB: AWOL Bar Axis 775 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.291.4008 axisonhigh.com
Tremont Lounge 708 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43206 614.445.9365 FB: Tremont Lounge
Springfield
Club 20 20 E Duncan St Columbus, Ohio 43202 614.261.9111 FB: Club 20
Argos 301 Mabel St Dayton, Ohio 45403 937.252.2976
Cincinnati
Cocktails 9208 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.961.3115 FB: Cocktails Cleveland
Club Diversity 863 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43206 614.224.4050 clubdiversity.biz
Masque 34 N Jefferson St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.228.2582 clubmasque.com
Below Zero 1120 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.9376 belowzerolounge.com
The Hawk 11217 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.521.5443 thehawkbar.com
Exile 893 N 4th St Columbus, Ohio 43201 614.299.0069 exilebar.com
MJ’s Cafe 119 E 3rd St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.3259 mjscafedayton.com
The Dock 603 Pete Rose Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.241.5623 FB: The Dock Complex
Leather Stallion 2205 St Clair Ave NE Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.589.8588 leatherstallion.com
38
december 2014
Dayton
Level Dining Lounge 700 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.754.7111 levelcolumbus.com
Right Corner 105 E 3rd St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.7418 FB: rightcornerbar
Warren
Out & About
Funky Skunk NiteClub 143 E Market St Warren, Ohio 44481 FB: Funky Skunk NiteClub Youngstown Utopia Video Night Club 876 E Midlothian Blvd Youngstown, Ohio 44502 330.781.9000 FB: Utopia Youngstown
Sandusky
Wall Street Night Club 144 N Wall St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.464.2800 wallstreetnightclub.com
Bounce 2814 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216.357.2997 bouncecleveland.com
Studio 704 704 4th St SW Canton, Ohio 44702 330.453.1200
Sami’s 178 Wayne St Mansfield, Ohio 44902 419.522.1500 FB: Sami’s Bar
Crowbar 206 W Market St Sandusky, Ohio 44870 419.624.0109 sanduskycrowbar.com
Cleveland
Crew 304 Cherry Ave NE Canton, Ohio 44702 330.452.2739 crewnightclub.com
Mansfield
Union Café 782 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.421.2233 columbusnightlife.com
Cavan Irish Pub 1409 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43207 614.725.5502 FB: Cavan Irish Pub
Canton
Somewhere 804 W North St Lima, Ohio 45801 419.227.7288 somewherelima.com
R-House 5534 Secor Rd Toledo, Ohio 43623 419.474.2929
Diesel Bar & Nightclub 1914 Edwards Ave Springfield, Ohio 45503 937.324.0383 FB: Diesel Bar & Nightclub Toledo Bretz 2012 Adams St Toledo, Ohio 43604 419.243.1900 FB: Bretz Nightclub Legends Showclub 117 N Erie St Toledo, Ohio 43604 567.315.8333 legendsbartoledo.com Mojo 115 N Erie St Toledo, Ohio 43604 567.315.8333 mojobartoledo.com
CINCINNATI / SOUTHWEST BATHS Club Columbus 795 W 5th Ave Columbus, Ohio 43212 614.291.0049 the-clubs.com Flex 2600 Hamilton Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.812.3304 flexspas.com
GET LISTED! We want to make sure all Ohio LGBT bars and clubs are included in our roundup. To update or add your listing, contact Erin at 614.268.8525 or erin@outlookmedia.com. Listings are free.
A toast to all of our readers all over Ohio!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 GenderF*ck Drag Show @ Tangeman University Center Great Hall, 2766 UC MainStreet, Cincinnati 45221; 513.556.4329; uc.edu/lgbtq: It’s a free event, but bring those dollar bills! All proceeds in the University of Cincinnati show will go to TransOhio. 8p-10p. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 Cincinnati Men’s Chorus/A Classic Christmas @ Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E 4th St, Cincinnati, 45202; 513.542.2626; cincinnatimenschorus.org: A concert of sacred and secular songs featuring Randol Alan Bass’s “Gloria” and “The Christmas Story,” narrated by Cincinnati’s singing weatherman, Bob Hertzog. Dec 6 at 8p and Dec 7 at 3p; $20. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Film Screening: The Homestretch @ Cinemark Oakley, 3025 Disney St, Cincinnati, 45209; 513.761.1480; caracole.org: Caracole and Hamilton County Safe and Supported will host a special screening of The Homestretch, a documentary that follows three homeless Chicago teens and explores issues that include LGBT civil rights. 7:30p; $11. outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg38-39.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:41 AM Page 2
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Muse Cincinnati Women’s Choir Holiday Choral Concert @ Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St, Cincinnati, 45202; 513.221.1118; musechoir.org: The chorus seeks out music composed by women that enhances women’s voices. This concert features music that will entertain, inspire and motivate. 2:30p. MONDAY, DECEMBER 15 Christmas With the Mo-Tones @ Grace Episcopal Church, 5501 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, 45224; 513.594.6962; qcrb.org: The Queen City Rainbow Band’s big-band ensemble performs a free concert with Michael Karraker, featuring holiday classics and jazz favorites. There’s a free dinner beforehand, too. Dinner at 5p and concert at 7p. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Pajama Party @ Old Street Saloon, 13 Old Street, Monroe, 45050; 513.421.2555; oldstreetbar.com: ...And the children were nestled all snug at the bar. CLEVELAND / NORTHEAST
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Blazing River Freedom Band/Spirit of the Season @ Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 2592 W 14th St, Cleveland, 44113; 321.745.7420; blazingriverband.org: The performance will feature Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” accompanied by color-guard choreography. 7:30p; $5.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 North Coast Men’s Chorus/Baby It’s Cold Outside @ Hanna Theatre, 2067 E 14th St, Cleveland, 44115; 216.556.0590; ncmchorus.org: It’ll be warm inside, though, when Cleveland’s gay men’s chorus performs its annual song- and dance-filled holiday concert. Dec 6 at 3p and 8p, Dec 7 at 3p; $10$45. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 Miss Addicted to ’80s Glamour At Large Pageant @ Bounce, 2814 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 44113; 216.357.2997; bouncecleveland.com: Contestants will be judged on creative presentation, gowns and talent. There will be performances by Devinity Jones Arriago, Danyel Androsky, Shari Turner and more. 9p; $10. MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 Genderbread People @ LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, 6600 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 44102; 216.556.0960; glsen.org/chapters/neo: GLSEN’s Northeast Ohio chapter hosts a holiday baking day for young people. Participants will make gingerbread cookies as they discuss gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. 7:30p. COLUMBUS / CENTRAL
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 A Reason to Dine @ various restaurants, 614.340.6777; arcohio.org: Participating restaurants donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to AIDS Resource Center Ohio to THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 support services to those with HIV/AIDS. PrEP Forum @ LGBT Community Center of This year’s restaurants (as of Nov 20) are Greater Cleveland, 6600 Detroit Ave, Cleve- Lemongrass (50 percent), Level Dining land, 44102; 216.651.5428; lgbtcleveLounge (25 percent), Union (25 percent), land.org: Doctors, social workers, PrEP Donato’s (20 percent at 3489 N High only, users and HIV activists will discuss PrEP, and you must mention A Reason to Dine or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a new and when ordering), Explorers Club (20 perhighly effective HIV-prevention strategy cent), Moretti’s of Arlington (20 percent), that involves a daily dose of the drug Tru- Bodega (15 percent), Columbus Brewing vada. 6p-8p. Company (15 percent), Dirty Franks (10 percent at both locations), Grass Skirt (10 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 percent), Local Roots (10 percent), Mouton Arktos Bears Holiday Teddy Bear and Toy (10 percent), Short North Pint House (10 Drive @ Cocktails Akron, 1009 S Main St, percent), Surly Girl Saloon (10 percent) and Akron, 44311; 330.376.2625; Tip Top (10 percent). arktosbears.org: Bring a new, unwrapped teddy bear or toy (they’ll take cash, too). FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 Everything will go to Providence House to SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 help Northeast Ohio kids have a happier Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus/Joy! @ King holiday season. 9p-midnight. Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave, Columbus, 43201; 614.228.2462; columbusgaymenschorus.com: To celebrate outlookohio.com
its 25th year, the chorus will sing holiday favorites from past shows, as well as some new pieces and a specially commissioned work. Sunday’s performance is at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2480 W Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, 43235; and there’s another show on Wednesday, Dec 10 at Glenwood United Methodist Church, 2833 Valleyview Dr, Columbus, 43204. 8p on Dec 5, 2p and 8p on Dec 6, 6p on Dec 7, and 8p on Dec 10; $25 ($20 in advance). FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Nina & Virginia’s Holiday Special @ Axis, 775 N High St, Columbus, 43215; 614.291.4008; axisonhigh.com: Would it be the holidays without Virginia and Nina? They’re joined this year by Alexis Stevens, Freesia Balls, Krystal Something Something, Cool Ethan, Selena T West, Indica and the West Family Dancers. Dec 5 at 8p, Dec 6 at 5p and 9p, Dec 12 at 8p, Dec 13 at 5p and 9p, Dec 14 at 8p; $10-$60. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Kaleidoscope Youth Center Holiday Open House @ Kaleidoscope Youth Center, 1904 N High St, Columbus, 43201; 614.294.5437; kycohio.org: Come get a look at Central Ohio’s center for LGBTQ kids. 3p-6p. Hell’s Bells: A Drag King Variety Holiday Rockfest @ Wall Street Nightclub, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800, wallstreetnightclub.com: A huge lineup of performers: Hot Metal Hardware from Pittsburgh, Jayden Jamison, The Royal Renegades, Lex Love, Dylan Kane, Brett Morehead, Dick Viscious, Mike Hunt, Flare Drag King, Alexander Cameron, Diamond Hunter, Just Jingles, Belle Jumelles and Viva Valezz!. 9p; $40 for a table of four.
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn, 45324; 937.775.5533; wright.edu/glbtqa/organizations/allies: Wright State University’s Allies group hosts the transgender icon, activist and Emmy-nominated star of Orange Is the New Black. 7p; $20. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Kris Kringle Bowling Fundraiser @ Poelking Lanes, 1403 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, 45420; 937.274.1776; daytonlgbtcenter.org: The fundraiser is for the Dayton LGBT Center, which hosts Dayton Pride. All participants get free entry to MJ’s Café afterward. 1p; $20. Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus/Joyful Jazz @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N Wilkinson St, Dayton, 45402; Joined by the Bill Burns Quartet, this jubilant concert is sure to have you swinging and ringing in the holiday season. 6p; $15. TOLEDO / NORTHWEST
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 A Reason to Dine @ local restaurants, 419.241.9444; arcohio.org: Participating restaurants donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to AIDS Resource Center Ohio to support services to those with HIV/AIDS. This year’s restaurants (as of Nov 20) are Pam’s Corner (116 10th Street, Toledo, 43604), which will donate 25 percent; Ferdos (3065 W Bancroft St, Toledo, 43606), which will donate 10 percent; and the Briarfield Cafe (3220 Briarfield Blvd, Maumee, 43537), which has yet to determine its contribution.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 Holiday With a Heart Charity Gayla @ Toledo Club, 235 14th St, Toledo, 43604; 419.470.3937; hwhcharitygayla.org: For 37 years, the annual event has raised money for LGBT groups in Northwest Ohio and THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 Memory Catchers @ Stonewall Columbus, Southeast Michigan. This year, the Toledo Mpowerment Center and Why Marriage 1160 N High St, Columbus, 43201; Matters Ohio will benefit from the 614.299.7764; stonewallcolumbus.org: OSU history professor Daniel Rivers, author fundraiser. 4p; $75. of Radical Relations: Lesbian Mothers, Gay SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Fathers, and Their Children in the United People Called Women Holiday Open States since World War II, will talk about the importance of oral history. Stonewall is House @ People Called Women, 6060 Renworking to preserve LGBT history in Colum- aissance Pl, Suite F, Toledo, 43623; 419.469.8983; peoplecalledwomen.com: bus. 1p-3p. Ohio’s only feminist bookstore welcomes in the holidays. There’s free designer giftDAYTON / WEST wrapping for all purchases made today. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 1p-4p. Laverne Cox @ Wright State University,
Our complete December calendar is posted at outlookohio.com.
december 2014
39
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg40-41.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:28 AM Page 1
savage love
by Dan Savage
I am a 30-year-old trans guy, on T since less readers convinced that your letter’s college, happy and comfortable with appearance in my column will lead to a my sexuality. worldwide clit-sticking boom. However, I can’t find any helpful health info on a fetish I’ve developed: I insert needles directly into my clit, maybe an inch and a half in. I’m not talking through it, like a piercing, but into it, going in at the head and moving down into the shaft. There are lots of porn/BDSM sites that discuss piercing all sorts of “female” anatomy, and many that cover the excitement of needles inserted into the glans of the penis, but few go into details about putting needles directly into the clit itself - and none that I’ve found cover safety. As a trans man, this is a particularly tempting practice because, well, my clit is huge and I have a constant legal supply of safe, sterile needles. Still, I want to know if I am potentially causing permanent nerve damage. I’d like to keep my clit healthy and happy for future use! If one of your connections in the medical world has a sense of this, I’d love to know.
40
Allow me to address their concerns first: That’s not the way this works, that’s not the way any of this works. People don’t adopt sex practices or kinks after hearing about them. If that were the way it worked, if hearing about a crazy kink inspired otherwise vanilla types to run out and try it, we would all be shoving gerbils in our asses. (We’ve all heard of gerbiling. No one has ever done it. Case closed.) OK, STICK, I worked my medical-world connections and found someone who wasn’t just qualified to answer your question, but also willing to do it on the record. “Piercing and needling, if practiced in a safe and sterile manner, can be stimulating,” said Dr. Brian Fitzsimmons, a gynecologist in Vancouver, British Columbia (obgynvancouver.ca), and a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. “But permanent damage with needling can occur to the sensory receptors that allow us to experience pleasure and stimulation.”
comfort and numbing of these areas. Permanent scarring and deformation can also occur. This is something that may not be correctable, even with surgery.” Some adult pleasures come with built-in risks (skydiving, snowboarding, clitneedling), and an adult does a quick risk-reward analysis before deciding if the potential reward (thrills, powder, orgasms) is worth the risk (faulty parachutes, ski-resort food, permanent damage). It’s your clit, STICK, and you’ll have to weigh the risks and rewards for yourself. But you won’t find me sticking needles in my clit. “If orgasm is mediated by the clitoris or the glans of the penis in the individual, this practice can cause loss of the ability to achieve orgasm,” Fitzsimmons said. In other words: Anyone who requires clit/dick-head stimulation in order to get off - and that’s pretty much everyone with a clit and/or dick head - shouldn’t be sticking needles into the clit/dick head.
A final thought from Fitzsimmons: “If you’re engaging in this type of practice, it’s important not to share needles, just - Sticking Things In Clit Knowledgeably like with any other sex toy. The risks of So the short answer to your question, transmitting infections such as HIV, hepP.S. Your advice is a great and positive STICK, is this: Yes, you are risking perma- atitis, syphilis and other STIs need to be force in my life. Thank you. nent damage. considered. Anyone having more questions on this or experiencing complicaYours is the kind of letter that gets me in “There may be immediate risks with tions or problems should contact their trouble, STICK. needling, such as bleeding and infection, local clinic or health-care provider.” in addition to long-term side effects,” Savage Love appears every month in Outlook and Clit-having readers and clit-loving read- Fitzsimmons said. “And potential longers will be doubling over on the subway, term side effects are especially concern- every week at outlookohio.com. You can email Dan Savage at mail@savagelove.net, follow him on in office cubicles, in the bathrooms ing in regards to very sensitive areas Twitter at @fakedansavage or listen to his weekly aboard Air Force One; wherever my colsuch as the glans of the penis or the cli- podcast, Savage Lovecast, every Tuesday at thesumn is read, people will be doubling over. toris. Short-term stimulation and excite- tranger.com/savage. And I will spend the next week wading ment with needling has the potential to through furious e-mails from angry/clue- cause permanent damage, chronic disdecember 2014
Nice package, Santa!
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg40-41.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 12:45 AM Page 2
the divine life by Debé Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) Venus, the sun and Mercury all cavort through your sign this month, infusing you with optimism and energy. That’s good, because first impressions set the stage for 2015, and you’ve got the goods to impress the hell out of them. Don’t scoff at New Year’s resolutions. Channel that energy into goals. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) For heaven’s sake, get over yourself and stop whining about social obligations. Go with the flow. In fact, ditch the little black dress and go bold. A fresh look just might get you what you want under the mistletoe.
Leo (July 23 - August 22) After a playful November, you are getting serious about your den. More domestic than feral, you are tightening the purse strings and storing up for winter. How sensible. Bah humbug.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Mars enters your sign on the 4th, and passion and spontaneity swirl around you with the cold air. Your holiday table is set for a good time. If new love is on your wish list, this could be your month.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22) As the song says, “Let it go.” It’s time to make peace with the past and move on. Don’t be too OCD about the money, honey, you’re gonna be fine. There may even be a sugar daddy or mama on the horizon. Oh, Santa!
Pisces (February 19 - March 20) The full moon in Gemini hits your house of emotion, bringing charitable feelings and a generous heart for family, coworkers and friends. Your big heart grows three sizes that day. Better your heart than your waistline, right? Aries (March 21 - April 19) Jupiter is in your house of love and play, making you feel frisky and generous. You are super social (what’s new?), and you want to play Santa Claus. I think you’ll use any excuse to get that certain someone to sit in your lap. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) While everyone else is out being festive, you are inclined to stay away from the crowds. It’s OK to spend time alone to re-evaluate your life, but curb your inner Scrooge. There are things to be thankful for.
Libra (September 23 - October 22) You are the go-to party planner this month. Get your Martha Stewart on, but get some rest too. Your loved ones are worried about your frenetic pace. Unsolicited advice makes you cranky, but it is well-meaning. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) It’s time for your inner child to come out and dance with the sugar plum fairies. Your money could be tight, but your creativity makes your homemade gifts far more memorable. Single scorpions could fall madly in love this month. Impressive Sagittarians: Rita Mae Brown, Noel Coward, Margaret Cho, Billy Strayhorn
Gemini (May 21 - June 20) It may be time to clean out your relationship closet, so start deciding who is out and who is in. When you aren’t channeling Heidi Klum, you’re playing Dear Abby. Just remember to be nice as you offer advice or show them to the door.
Handy Tip: Fire Hand Characterized by medium length fingers and a strong long palm, a fire hand usually has lots of lines crisscrossing the palm. They belong to active, energetic people with presence.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Was last month epic? If you liked it, you may want to put a ring on it before 2015. There may be some stress around money and a few disagreements, but make a commitment and stick to the plan.
Debé is a palmist, intuitive adviser and metaphysical teacher in Columbus. She is available for personal readings, parties, events and workshops. For more information, go to thepassionatepalmist.com. Look for her horoscopes every month in Outlook.
outlookohio.com
Fire hand is what happens when you forget to wash your hands after Chipotle.
december 2014
41
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg42.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/21/14 3:02 AM Page 1
outlook’s blog squad Every month in print and every Monday online, we ask Outlook readers to do our work for us as members of our blog squad.
If you want to share your rants, raves or observations, join the Squad! Contact Erin McCalla:
614.268.8525 x2
Charmaine Moore, MUSE member in Cincinnati
Top 5 Women Singers Who Change the Way We See Ourselves 5. Laura Mvula 4. Brandi Carlile 3. Alicia Keys 2. Sara Bareilles 1. India.Arie Dec 8 Topic: MUSE and Why I Sing
Ms. Shane McCullough, Portsmouth
Top 5 Trans-Friendly Colleges and Universities (in Proximity to Ohio) 5. University of Vermont 4. University of Massachusetts 3. Ithaca College in New York 2. University of Pennsylvania 1. University of Michigan via The Advocate
Dec 15 Topic: My Trans History
42
december 2014
I Hear a Melody Across
1 Chart with the bottom line, maybe 6 Pansy supporter 10 Quills subject 14 Spine-chilling 15 Irene of Fame fame 16 Mireille of World War Z 17 Photographer Grace 18 LSD, e.g. 19 Carbon compound 20 Kitchen appliance with spinning blades 23 Airline in The Aviator 24 Sebastian or Joan 25 He rubs you the right way 29 Says “Bottoms up!” 33 Sixth word of Abe’s address 34 Over one’s head 37 Actress Perlman 38 Subject of a recent book of photos by James Spada 42 Place in a Robert Redford movie 43 Gussy up 44 Island necklace 45 Rough house 48 Broadway title woman that every body noes? 50 Roman Empire invaders
21 Former American Idol judge Abdul 22 Cone head? 25 Pirates of Penzance heroine 26 Type size 27 Somewhat, slangily 28 The Horse Fair painter Bonheur 30 “Thou ___ not covet thy neighbor’s ... ass” 31 Religious principle 32 When repeated, a Funny Girl song 35 Flower shop letters 36 Disney sci-fi flick 39 What the top did from underneath? Down 40 Wipe away 1 Dropout’s doc. 2 Where a sailor may hit 41 Not at all 46 Kind of truck bottom 47 Maupin’s Significant 3 Alice’s Restaurant ___ patron 49 Rubber stamps 4 Earhart and others 51 Highly agitated down 5 Condoms? south 6 The Lion King villain 52 Lebanon neighbor 7 Meat-filled treats 8 Lucci’s Kane in All My 54 Whar she blows? 55 Crime category Children 56 ___ to the bottom 9 Arrived (sank) 10 Be an onlooker at the 57 “You know how ___” Oscars? 58 Use wrecking balls on 11 Word used in dating 59 Gas additive 12 Closet opening 62 Sarah Jessica Parker’s 13 Immigrant ed. “city” activity choice
53 Pt. of SSN 54 Song about 38Across using 20Across on a dairy product? 59 Swimmer you can eat 60 “To be” to Henri 61 Tiny amounts 63 Russian singing duo 64 Screw royally 65 Snatch 66 Get ready for action 67 Chose not to swallow 68 Flynn role opposite Davis
We’re always looking for writers! Email erin@outlookmedia.com.
outlookohio.com
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg39.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/18/14 7:34 PM Page 1
outlookohio.com
xxx
december 2014
39
OUTLOOKdec2014.pg40.qxp_OUTLOOK OHIO TEMPLATE 11/18/14 7:22 PM Page 1
2
december 2014
xxx
outlookohio.com